figuring out

present participle of figure out

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 figuring out Learning to fight without Starlink Despite the value of Starlink, Ukraine’s military and defense companies have already been figuring out ways to fight on without the satellite service. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 The idea is to let an assistant check connected accounts for tasks such as unpaid invoices and draft reminders without waiting for a prompt, so users spend less time figuring out what to ask for. — Wen Shao, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Yes, and people often don’t understand that for a lot of first-year students, who are generally under 21 but still wanting to drink, figuring out how to get alcohol, where the parties are, where the fun is going to be, is a challenge for them. — Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 23 Oct. 2026 The company now has to navigate those challenges on its own while also figuring out why its current content slate hasn’t resulted in record profits. — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026 Michael is also in charge of interfacing with frontier AI labs and figuring out long-term coordination on AI across the government. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 While the Florida Panthers received relatively good news about the injuries to Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand — Barkov out six to eight weeks, Marchand six weeks — the team still is tasked with figuring out how to replace their star forwards. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 But in evaluating potential starters on that side of the ball, certain schematic approaches and just simply figuring out how to get off the field on third down, there are some real questions that need answers going into the free weekend in Frisco. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 Shuter is reporting that this isn’t just about figuring out what happened, but about real accountability. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
Verb
  • Some puzzlers describe solving the crossword as a workout; for me, today’s was a knock-down, drag-out fistfight.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Yarbrough, who died at age 76 on Saturday, would be stationed at the table throughout the GHSA playoffs, sometimes welcoming guests and dignitaries and otherwise answering questions and solving problems.
    — Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The seven-minute video, sent in early May 2021, offered a step-by-step guide for carrying out modern warfare in a country where everything seemed to be unraveling.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The familiar imperial arc—expansion, overreach, strain, unraveling—once played out across a century or even a millennium.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Their flexibility is useful when writing, summarizing, brainstorming, or answering broad questions.
    — Ethan Stone, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Lale Esquivel began Thursday’s meeting by answering questions from UIL SEC Chairman Mike Motheral.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In October 2026, Marinis told The Hollywood Reporter that the creative team was still working out the new show’s airing schedule and considering whether to introduce the spinoff through an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Yen is now writing a fresh draft and working out the film’s visual style.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Figures emerge from his signature black background, their silhouettes resolving and dissolving amid legato drips and vigorous brushwork.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Military force may alter the balance of pain without resolving the disputes each side will eventually have to confront across the negotiating table.
    — Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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