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

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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

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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 There’s a whole methodology for opacity that people in medicine have worked out. — ArsTechnica, 10 Nov. 2026 Sieler hopes to have the surgery late this week, but that’s still being worked out. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026 Joining the Chiefs’ practice squad According to McDowell, the Chiefs also worked out kickers Ben Sauls and Harrison Mevis this week before ultimately deciding to sign Tucker. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026 Tucker worked out for the Jets before this season but did not sign with them. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Boise plans to work with the health district to enact the plan, according to city spokesperson Maria Ortega, though specifics are still being worked out. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026 That would have worked out fine when Fochesato tried redeeming his Timeless Ticket for a potential World Series game in 2018, when the Brewers reached the NL Championship Series. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Obviously, the whole music thing worked out for the Hot 100-topping, Grammy- and Tony-winning singer-songwriter who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025. — Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026 But my rogue, DIY, quick-start method hasn’t always worked out in my favor. — Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 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
  • An 18-year-old mathematical problem concerning the limits of quantum computing may finally have been solved in just three days.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • JonBenét’s older half-brother, John Andrew Ramsey, said investigators must have courage and act aggressively to get the case solved as soon as possible.
    — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of solved
Verb
  • The researchers also developed a technique that smoothly connects successive acoustic signals, reducing interruptions and unwanted noise as the sound-emitting location changes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2026
  • The Environmental Protection Agency, whose researchers developed the index, says the testing method was designed for research and has not been validated for routine use in schools or other buildings.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of developed
Verb
  • Then Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez beat him in a primary and Jeffries succeeded Crowley as chair of the House Democratic Caucus, the post that set him on the path to the speakership today.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In the 2nd District, which spans parts of the South Side, the south suburbs and downstate, Kelly will be succeeded by Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, a longtime political ally and fellow Lynwood resident.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of succeeded
Verb
  • The way the annual cost-of-living adjustments are calculated would also change, leaning on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, or CPI-E, which is intended to more closely reflect seniors' spending patterns.
    — Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2026
  • The defense calculated an advisory sentencing range of 18 to 24 months but sought a shorter prison term, citing Enriquez’s personal circumstances, need for treatment and lack of violent history.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of calculated
Verb
  • Candidates answered questions about their priorities, a property tax cap on the ballot, data centers, oversight of the president and other issues.
    — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2026
  • That would make anyone give up eating wings and remove us from the timeline where Buscemi answered really niche questions about his decades-long career.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of answered
Verb
  • For several decades, Republicans and Black Democrats forged alliances on state legislative and congressional redistricting plans.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Almodóvar’s decades-long body of work is a staggering history of long-term artistic relationships that have been forged, sustained, ruptured, and sometimes reconciled through cinema.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of forged
Verb
  • Quarterback Rocco Becht went 16-for-27 for 240 yards and threw first-half touchdowns to Chase Sowell and Zay Robinson, both of whom were listed as questionable on the pregame injury report but ended up being good to play.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The Dons went ahead 21-20 on Sierra Aswad’s back-to-back aces in set three.
    — Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of went
Verb
  • So this figured to be a different game than what was planned, with the Wolverines shorthanded on the bench and UConn having to function without its best player.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2026
  • She’s figured centrally in the government’s efforts to find and prosecute noncitizen voters.
    — Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of figured

Browse Nearby Words

worked (on)
worked out
worked over
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Worked out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20out. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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