figuring out

verb

present participle of figure out
as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Gayer’s primary concern now is figuring out how to grow the company in an efficient and sustainable way. — Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 The harder task can be figuring out how to make that part usable again. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 Quarterback Did Notre Dame get any closer to figuring out its QB2? — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 In figuring out how to move past his breakout role, Stokes sought the advice of an expert on the matter — Dawson’s Creek alum Joshua Jackson. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026 Her challenge now isn’t simply figuring out how to keep growing it, but how to keep it relevant as the American consumer who fueled the industry’s growth changes. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 The insurance industry has spent decades figuring out how to avoid paying for your health. — Andréa Becker, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026 More and more people are growing out and leaning into their shimmering silver, and the only thing cooler than embracing the color is figuring out the haircut that makes the most of it in a way that’s very you. — Marci Robin, Allure, 17 July 2026 For the average swim instructor, who may be teaching up to 10 children at a time and may not have training in supporting autistic children, figuring out how to meet individual needs can be a challenge. — Tana Carson, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
  1. solving
  2. unraveling
  3. answering
  4. working out
  5. resolving
Verb
  • OpenAI says the model has already contributed to solving difficult, long-standing mathematical problems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In 1966, the federal government commissioned a massive survey aimed at solving educational inequality.
    — Rund Abdelfatah, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of solving
Verb
  • Metalpoint is delicate by comparison with ink, almost weblike; but in both cases, the drawings are unraveling clusters and skeins, with passages both tight and loose.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In spite of Desiree's civil case unraveling in 2013, public suspicion continued to follow Terri.
    — Eileen Murphy, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unraveling
Verb
  • If Wayne, a fictional character, were a more solid creation, the movie could better explore the issue of whether answering racist brutality in kind is more effective than relying on an inadequate system.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The device sits on the skin like a band-aid and can collect up to 10 times the sweat from low-intensity activities such as walking or answering emails, compared with other wearable sweat sensors.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of answering
Verb
  • Some fitness enthusiasts swear that working out on an empty stomach burns more fat, while others insist that eating beforehand is essential for maximizing energy and performance.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Fry and Drew did make important contributions, working out passive techniques for setting hot and humid air in motion.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of working out
Verb
  • Politicians, naturally, have stepped in without resolving anything yet.
    — Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • After resolving a bruising carriage standoff with Disney in 2023, the company has been able to strike unique agreements with programmers using that agreement as a template.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of resolving

Browse Nearby Words

figuring on
figuring out
filament
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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