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

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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

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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 The defense, when all was said and done, worked out fine Sunday, though. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026 The Dolphins opted to sign none of the four backs who worked out for them on Tuesday -- former Canes standout Damien Martinez, former Titans fourth-rounder Hassan Haskins, Davie University School alum Kenny McIntosh and rookie Elija-Tau Tolliver. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 But Finebaum's right that, whatever the reason, the Riley era in LA hasn't worked out the way many expected. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 The Jets released quarterback Bailey Zappe from the practice squad to make room for Levis, who worked out for the team earlier this month. — Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026 There were pros and cons to how these engagements worked out. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Sep. 2026 The news comes one day after defensive end Zxavian Harris reportedly worked out for the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday. — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 New York's congressional delegation insisted 9/11 victim compensation be worked out before the airlines get their wishes fulfilled. — Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 11 Sep. 2026 Imanaga worked out of a two-out single in the frame, then escaped a leadoff walk in the second to keep the deficit at one. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 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
  • The company said its problems would not be solved by chasing unhealthy sales volume or short-term revenue.
    — Ryan Baker, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Like Zuckerberg, Huang has argued against an industry-wide slowdown, saying the recent spike in safety concerns sparked by AI agents going rogue and hacking into other companies is just an engineering problem that needs to be solved.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of solved
Verb
  • Held at Dongseo University’s Centum Campus, the program was developed with the Asian Film Commissions Network and the Motion Picture Association.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Oracle's stock fell 4% in late September after the company sent a force majeure notice tied to Project Jupiter, a New Mexico data center campus and part of the broader Stargate AI buildout developed by Blue Owl.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of developed
Verb
  • Through the long course of the MCU project, Marvel Studios has succeeded in diversifying its fanbase.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Former president Dilma Rousseff, who succeeded Lula in 2010, was impeached in 2016, having been accused of budget manipulation.
    — Chloe Taylor,Thomas Da Graca Barlow, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of succeeded
Verb
  • While some of the engineering can be precisely calculated — air, water, waste, power, occupancy and storage, for example — other questions around bunker design are murkier.
    — Megan Buerger, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Integral members of American society, whose absence contributes to financial and psychological damage to other Americans—typically children—in ways yet to be calculated.
    — Daniel Peña, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of calculated
Verb
  • On one attempt, the process server observed four cars in the driveway, but no one answered at the front door, the new filing said.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And a public record request for the permit plan wasn’t immediately answered.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of answered
Verb
  • The union forged ahead earlier this year despite pleas from fellow Democrats to drop the measure.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The show is being forged as a high-end returning TV series and publisher Transworld has already acquired world English-language rights to the novel plus its sequel, which won’t publish until 2028 and 2029 respectively.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of forged
Verb
  • Jaguar once went head-to-head with competitors like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, making splashy appearances in James Bond films.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Moya went from doubting her ability to handle full-time work to thriving on it.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of went
Verb
  • Ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Las Vegas Raiders showed all the signs of a franchise that had, at long last, figured it out.
    — Pete Sweeney October 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Dodgers have figured that out over five postseasons in this format.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 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 11 Oct. 2026.

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