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

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

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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 Boise plans to work with the health district to enact the plan, according to city spokesperson Maria Ortega, though specifics are still being worked out. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026 That would have worked out fine when Fochesato tried redeeming his Timeless Ticket for a potential World Series game in 2018, when the Brewers reached the NL Championship Series. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Obviously, the whole music thing worked out for the Hot 100-topping, Grammy- and Tony-winning singer-songwriter who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025. — Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026 But my rogue, DIY, quick-start method hasn’t always worked out in my favor. — Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 But this worked out — the Chiefs got closer to their mission. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 Kevin Mannix worked out of the San Francisco Police Department’s Taraval Station for 27 years before retiring, according to the association in June 2018. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Many players who were banged up in Sunday’s game were limited or simply worked out on the side of drills. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 The defense, when all was said and done, worked out fine Sunday, though. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 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 crows solved the task the same way primates do, using the same mathematical logic despite having a very different brain structure.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • So there’s a huge amount of that which was solved with lots of different trickery, and then some VFX.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of solved
Verb
  • Next, the researchers developed a simplified model that reproduced the observed rotation and current increase.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • How Richard Branson inspired Tan-Gillespie’s career ethos As Tan-Gillespie’s career developed, so did her aspirations.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of developed
Verb
  • He was reelected four years later and was succeeded by one of his cabinet ministers, Dilma Rousseff, in 2010.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • He was reelected four years later and was succeeded by one of his Cabinet ministers, Dilma Rousseff, in 2010.
    — Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of succeeded
Verb
  • Miller’s calculated the percentage chance that all 35 seats in play will go blue or red virtually in real time.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But underneath what seems promising, the beginnings of empathy and maybe healing, there’s something performative and calculated in this fast bond.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of calculated
Verb
  • Purdue cut its deficit to 10 with a three-point play from former UConn target Caden Pierce three minutes into the second half, but Demary answered with his own physical finish, plus a free throw, at the other end.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • For about 30 minutes, Stacy Garrity answered every question KDKA-TV's Josh Taylor asked her about her campaign for governor, including one concerning a political ad about incumbent Josh Shapiro.
    — Josh Taylor, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of answered
Verb
  • Billions of years ago, this little corner of the universe contained only a dozen or so primary minerals—raw building blocks forged in the hearts of ancient stars and cast into the cosmos by supernovae.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Sguros paid taxes and utilities at the home in West’s name, and forged his signature to get permits for work at the home, the sheriff's office said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of forged
Verb
  • The company generated $70 billion in free cash flow in the first half of this year, while AMD totaled just over $4 billion and Google parent Alphabet went cash flow negative in the second quarter to fund its buildout.
    — Kif Leswing,Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Napoli went ahead again in the 83rd minute thanks to a second from McTominay — who also scored twice in Tuesday's 4-3 win over Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of went
Verb
  • At the beginning of Fatherland, no one—not even the aged Mann, played here in a quietly extraordinary performance by Hanns Zischler—has figured that out.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Knowing Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos’ strong affinity for Bamford’s comedy, Apatow figured that would happen.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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