worked out

verb

past tense of work out
1
as in solved
to find an answer for through reasoning by putting our heads together, we were able to work out the problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in developed
to produce or bring about especially by long or repeated effort worked out a compromise between the warring factions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in succeeded
to turn out as planned or desired our plans for a ski vacation just didn't work out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in calculated
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations after working out the cost of a college education, we've decided that it's never too early to start saving

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of worked out Only Faal, currently out on loan at Port Vale of League Two, among Wrexham’s six deadline-day signings in the past three summer windows can be said not to have worked out, suggesting patience is usually rewarded at this time of year. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Kodai Senga worked out of a two-out, two-on jam in the ninth, striking out Abimelec Ortiz to record his second save. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 White Sox reliever Grant Taylor, who got the final out of the sixth, worked out of a jam in the seventh by striking out Durbin to leave runners on the corners. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 It’s called the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, and the physics behind it was worked out in the late 1860s. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 But major details still need to be worked out, according to Reuters. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Mitchell has already worked out with new Heat teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo in Greece and gone through workouts in Spain this offseason. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 Amazon’s willingness to take TNF off the hands of Fox (which subsequently opted out of the final season of its deal) worked out in everyone’s favor, but no Big Tech player has yet to commandeer a package of similar import. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026 The Newsoms paid between $518,000 and $873,000 in taxes per year, which worked out to a federal income tax rate of 30% to 35% per year, according to his office. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked out
  1. solved
  2. developed
  3. succeeded
  4. calculated
  5. answered
  6. forged
  7. went
  8. figured
Verb
  • Still, the investigation into his murder had seemed to grow so cold that even many close to the events of that night believed the case would never be solved, much less prosecuted.
    — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Over time, people remember who opened doors, solved problems and created opportunities—and those relationships often become far stronger than anything built through traditional networking.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of solved
Verb
  • Sabio said the proposals were developed through conversations with residents rather than solely by his campaign.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The hotel itself was built in 1913 when the neighborhood was being developed.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of developed
Verb
  • Moderna’s mRNA vaccine combined with Merck’s immunotherapy Keytruda succeeded in a late-stage trial for skin cancer, the companies said on Wednesday, sending shares of the vaccine maker up 60% in premarket ​trading.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But after Carter reset the unit later that year by bringing in new leaders who were native speakers of both the tech world’s dialect and the language of warfighting, the organization succeeded in building a bridge between the two communities.
    — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of succeeded
Verb
  • As Zucman calculated in 2025, the share of total American household wealth that modern American oligarchs owned was now more than double the size of the wealth owned by the Rockefellers, Carnegies, and others combined.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Neither of us are big fans of over aging these delicate white wines in new oak barrels, but a careful and calculated use of oak can offer a nice wood frame to highlight the art in the glass.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of calculated
Verb
  • Phone calls, a text message and an email sent to Soulbaila were not immediately answered Monday.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026
  • For years, Herstle has answered the call when others were facing some of the worst moments of their lives.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of answered
Verb
  • But Jakirovic has forged a side that embraces the underdog role, one that produces its best football when its back is against the wall.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The entrepreneur came to the United States and forged his own path in business, growing from his first gas station venture to overseeing numerous locations across Florida and developing multimillion-dollar projects.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of forged
Verb
  • His scoreless streak then went the way of the Metrodome before recording a single out in Minneapolis.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Even Timmy Chang at Hawaii went 9-4 after three consecutive losing seasons following a program reset.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of went
Verb
  • Zheng left the site shortly after what figured to be one of the tougher days of his tennis life.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • West Virginia transfer Cam Vaughn, who figured to be in the mix for the spot as well, has been dismissed from the team, Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal announced Monday.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of figured

Browse Nearby Words

worked (on)
worked out
worked over
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Cite this Entry

“Worked out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20out. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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