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

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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

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 How those standards would impact the Group of 6 conferences (the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12 and Sun Belt) still needs to be worked out. — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 This is still being worked out in courts as players battle for a fifth year of college eligibility. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Kemeny said Bast had worked out an interface to get the rotating laser beams, microscopes, cameras, and myriad other components of the experiment to coordinate through a common interface. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 Although things worked out, the episode was yet another stark reminder of how exposed his business—and the broader college-athlete placement industry—has become to forces well beyond its control. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Cameramen raced around hectically setting up lights and checking shots as choreographers ran through fight sequences and a prop team worked out how to hoist a net that would later restrain a hostage. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 Donald worked out at Loyola Marymount when the Rams were in training camp, and last week at the Rams facility in Woodland Hills. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked out
  1. solved
  2. developed
  3. succeeded
  4. calculated
  5. answered
  6. forged
  7. went
  8. figured
Verb
  • Longer life is the achievement of our era, not a problem to be solved.
    — Jon Sabes, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • While some of the Killing Fields cases outside of League City have been solved, many have not.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of solved
Verb
  • As in the previous episode, Samir’s internal conflict is the least developed here.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Equine therapy has also developed into an effective element of Grief Journeys, which reflect a growing interest in travel centered on healing and personal transformation.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of developed
Verb
  • The gambit almost succeeded as five House Republicans voted against bringing the socialism resolution to the floor.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Republicans are trying to tie the Democratic Party in general to the democratic socialist candidates who have succeeded this year in running for office.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of succeeded
Verb
  • Once the ratings period ends, the average score is calculated to determine the final ratings.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Those estimates are necessary to build financial aid packages, but the cost of living can change in the months between when the numbers are calculated and when students arrive on campus.
    — Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of calculated
Verb
  • The Athletic’s Jacob Whitehead, Oliver Kay, Cerys Jones, Conor O’Neill, Nick Miller and Sebastian Stafford-Bloor have taken a look at the window and answered a series of questions.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Choose the few recurring decisions where the stakes are highest—often hiring, promotion and capital allocation—and require the four lenses to be answered before the decision closes.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of answered
Verb
  • Likewise, a new lubrication system, forged pistons and rods, and revised exhaust manifolds ensure durability in extended high-load, high-temperature environments.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Kobach, a Republican who forged his political identity as an anti-immigration hardliner, was called to testify on birthright citizenship before a House Judiciary subcommittee on Wednesday.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of forged
Verb
  • The Sox went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 14 on base while falling in the opener of the four-game series.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Other questions still linger, including where Lahti’s car went.
    — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of went
Verb
  • Women figured prominently in many of Mansour’s works, such as the 1984 Flight to Egypt, depicting a mother curled over her sleeping baby.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026
  • As many of us conclude from a life living in this country run by White people, Gayle figured the best way to stick around was to hide herself.
    — Wilbert L. Cooper, Longreads, 25 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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