works out

verb

present tense third-person singular of work out
1
as in solves
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 develops
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 succeeds
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 figures
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 works out Steel Magnolias was also adapted from a play of the same name about the lives of a group of six women in a small Louisiana town, with Parton playing the role of a Truvy Jones, a hairdresser who works out of her home salon. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026 Led by Inspector Ӧnem, the team (which works out of a basement) deals with honor killings, suicides, and exploitation. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 The equation works out to a long-term ownership period of over 22 years for average drivers. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Returning and reflying both Starship stages is a key component in SpaceX's design for the giant rocket, which will be the largest, most powerful launch vehicle in history once the company works out all its kinks. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Patrick Swindle, CoreCivic's President and CEO, told investors on an earnings call that that works out to an average rate of $307,000 per bed. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026 Spread across 339 nodes, the $242,624 paid since December works out at roughly $715 each. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Let’s say this works out, recognizing that a couple of impressive days at training camp are a really long road shy of that sentence being true. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026 That works out to a daily penalty of roughly $7 million, which would add up to a heap of trouble if the legal wrangling extends through June 1, 2027. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works out
  1. solves
  2. develops
  3. succeeds
  4. figures
  5. unravels
  6. forges
  7. goes
  8. calculates
Verb
  • With just eight percent calcium, the material shows high tunability and solves a problem that has plagued the communications industry for decades.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Leaders should be asking how their own sector traditionally solves a problem, as well as who elsewhere has solved a version of it exceptionally well.
    — Jen Fuller, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of solves
Verb
  • So keep an eye our for habit changes and call a veterinarian if a cat stops eating, becomes lethargic, vomits, appears weak or develops yellowing around the eyes, gums or skin.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Navigating a changing climate, Marian develops interspecies alliances on a quest for the holy grail.
    — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of develops
Verb
  • The model that succeeds will be the one that combines privacy, usability, regulatory clarity, and real economic value.
    — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Francis succeeds Barbeito, who will transition into an advisory role.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of succeeds
Verb
  • The family soon moved to a one-bedroom cabin in the nearby town of Locust Ridge, a dwelling that figures proudly in Parton’s rags-to-riches lore.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Junior quarterback Austin Stennett figures to be better prepared for second season after growing three inches to 5-foot-11 and putting on 20 pounds.
    — Bill Scheibe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of figures
Verb
  • Interrupted by power outages, a relentlessly barking dog and the unexpected arrival of a celebrated composer, the conversation steadily unravels.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Desperate struggles against the encroaching elements become a brief interlude before the situation unravels into a disaster of a different magnitude.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
Definition of unravels
Verb
  • The Librarians, which premiered at Sundance in early 2025 and broadcast on PBS in early 2026, has been years in the making, but the battle at its core still forges on.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Training for business leaders forges a body, mind, and spirit prepared for whatever challenge comes next.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of forges
Verb
  • Driving Experience The windscreen is brief to say the least, but airflow goes right over your head.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The movie goes big on the ‘80s tropes for laughs, including over-the-top costumes and era-specific references, but the love story at its heart is timeless.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of goes
Verb
  • Essentially a form of computational fluid dynamics, the simulation divides the flow passages into a very large number of tiny regions and calculates things such as velocity, pressure, turbulence, and temperature throughout the component.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The directors instructed Jantzen earlier this month to develop a plan to overhaul the assessment process after board members raised concerns about how the district calculates the charges.
    — Haley Parsley August 28, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of calculates

Browse Nearby Words

works (on)
works out
works over
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Cite this Entry

“Works out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/works%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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