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

Relevance
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 Adames and Chapman have full no-trade clauses in their contracts, which usually can be worked out, although Chapman’s agent, Scott Boras, recently told John Shea of the San Francisco Standard that Chapman isn’t going anywhere. — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The average 8% increase worked out to approximately 62 cents more per item, according to Mickey Visit. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 July 2026 Gotta hand it to Odysseus — having a bunch of soldiers hide inside a giant horse to infiltrate Troy worked out beautifully. — Whitney Friedlander, Vulture, 17 July 2026 Even when signings worked out, they were often followed by subtractions elsewhere. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026 While some players worked out on the field, they were encouraged to complete as much work as possible inside. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 July 2026 Hopper, 25, grew up in Ballantyne and remembers staying in the Morrison YMCA’s child care while his mother worked out. — Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026 Saša Pekeč, a professor of business administration at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, compares it to the early days of ridesharing apps, which were banned in some cities while regulations were still being worked out. — Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 3 July 2026 The details of these events haven't been worked out yet, the spokesman said, but each of the local stores hosting these events will promote them on their individual Facebook pages. — Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 22 June 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 gap between frontier AI companies and the rest of the industry comes down to who has solved the infrastructure problem.
    — Lucas Zhao, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Elliott said the issue could be solved in part by making sure that more revenue is generated from the richest residents.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026
Definition of solved
Verb
  • Browning and Eveland developed the educational curriculum that would provide both an understanding and hands-on experience in a friendly environment where questions are encouraged.
    — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
  • The plane has been developed to fly the Australian airline Qantas’ upcoming record-breaking route from Sydney to London.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of developed
Verb
  • World Cup 2026 was widely regarded as an enjoyable edition where the good footballing sides succeeded.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • A number of 2026’s biggest movies succeeded with help from premium screens, across genres that extend well beyond the action blockbusters traditionally associated with the format.
    — David Deal, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of succeeded
Verb
  • Before Friday’s ruling, Chey had argued that the division of assets should be calculated at the close of the case hearing in April 2024.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • Under cross-examination, Tosch acknowledged that DNA can be transferred without direct contact and that police software only calculated the likelihood of Burke’s inclusion in the mixture, though nothing definitive.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026
Definition of calculated
Verb
  • Whether those records can be turned on an outbreak is a question people have already answered.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The forum remains a place where prospective employees can get their application questions answered and where a community of workers can fight for better working conditions.
    — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of answered
Verb
  • The island nation has in recent years leveraged its geographical proximity to the Middle East to act as the EU’s gateway to the region and has forged closer ties with many countries, particularly with Israel on energy and defense.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • While some have cut off all contact with their families, others have forged fragile paths towards reconciliation.
    — Michael-Oliver Harding, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of forged
Verb
  • The interesting question is where the departing dollars went, and the answer is visible in an adjacent market.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • The district went from one where Republicans have a 30-point advantage to about ten points.
    — Jack Harvel July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Definition of went
Verb
  • Backup catcher Drew Millas was the first Nationals catcher in the majors to look to the dugout for suggestions, as the team figured its outspoken backstop would communicate what was (or wasn’t) working and have more time to focus on his offense.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The organizations that haven't figured that out yet are paying for it in client trust, in renewal conversations and in the compounding cost of retrofitting compliance into products that weren't designed to carry it.
    — Vishal Saxena, Forbes.com, 20 July 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 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All