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
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Recent Examples of figuring out
One of the first steps in Parker figuring out his own way, of course, was dropping out of Berklee to avoid becoming a teacher.
—
Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
So, after figuring out that an evil scientist was using Loki’s scepter to build an artificial-intelligence system, Stark and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) pop it into the Avengers Tower’s mainframe.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
The podcast will see the married couple exploring the realities of navigating major life changes, from relationships under pressure, shifting identities, family dynamics and figuring out the future when life looks different from the past.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
The tricky part for the Huskies is figuring out who is coming back, and what needs will be left to address.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In 2024, a CHA official said figuring out a funding formula involving historic tax credits had gummed up the next steps.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
The circle hook sets itself, taking the guess work out of feeding line and figuring out if the fish has the bait in its mouth before setting the hook.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
As usual, my librarian brain is busy digging into the meat of this, basically figuring out the question-under-the-question of your message.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
In a world full of influencers and trending aesthetics, figuring out your personal style has become both easier and overwhelming.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 9 Apr. 2026
Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
So, after figuring out that an evil scientist was using Loki’s scepter to build an artificial-intelligence system, Stark and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) pop it into the Avengers Tower’s mainframe.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
The podcast will see the married couple exploring the realities of navigating major life changes, from relationships under pressure, shifting identities, family dynamics and figuring out the future when life looks different from the past.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
The tricky part for the Huskies is figuring out who is coming back, and what needs will be left to address.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In 2024, a CHA official said figuring out a funding formula involving historic tax credits had gummed up the next steps.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
The circle hook sets itself, taking the guess work out of feeding line and figuring out if the fish has the bait in its mouth before setting the hook.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
As usual, my librarian brain is busy digging into the meat of this, basically figuring out the question-under-the-question of your message.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
In a world full of influencers and trending aesthetics, figuring out your personal style has become both easier and overwhelming.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
Verb
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The sheep rise to the occasion and use all the mental mystery-solving skills George and his stories have left behind.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
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The one-million-cubic-meter-level salt cavern hydrogen storage demonstration project began operation in Pingdingshan on Saturday, signaling progress in solving one of hydrogen energy’s biggest challenges.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Having these properties taken away without recourse is effectively unraveling generations of effort.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, at home, the government is unraveling.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to the Church, secular society isn’t capable of answering those questions on its own.—
Elias Wachtel,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
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There was also a hot make-out sesh in the powder room between Marsden and Munn’s characters, and Coop answering his own version of the Four Questions.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This usually only occurs in small amounts and can be replenished after working out.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Bailey has a wide-eyed clueless cuteness that lends to her character’s well-meaning naiveté — even her missteps have a way of working out.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma could be dissolved and replaced by a company focused on the public good by the end of the week, as a massive legal settlement resolving thousands of lawsuits is set to take effect.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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The United States showed little immediate enthusiasm for a new Iranian proposal that would end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz without resolving the impasse over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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