make out

verb

Definition of make outnext
1
as in to cope
to meet one's day-to-day needs we're not rich, but we're making out all right

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of I can't quite make out what she is trying to say

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to pretend
to take on a false or deceptive appearance he tried to make out that he didn't mind losing his job, but friends suspected he was desperately worried

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4
as in to derive
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information as best as I can make out, the police were informed of the incident but didn't think it was worth investigating

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 make out Plus, it's made out of aluminum for extra durability with long hours of play and accidental drops. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026 The ramps are made out of wood, rather than metal, as metal ramps cost significantly more and require adjustments every three to six months. — Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026 The more than 800,000 structures are mostly made out of light balsa wood, from Manhattan's towering skyscrapers to the humble single-family homes in Queens and landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium and the Brooklyn Bridge. — CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 The movie is also Focus’ highest grossing movie ever, in addition to being the highest-grossing film acquisition ever made out of a festival. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for make out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make out
  1. cope
  2. understand
  3. pretend
  4. derive
  5. do
  6. know
  7. let on
  8. decide
Verb
  • To cope with the breakneck pace of show business, Douglas sought refuge in women, cocaine and work.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Kawhi Leonard taught him about body management and coping with expectations.
    — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of cope
Verb
  • If a degree needs to equip students for life outside of college, then a big part of that is understanding what employers are looking for.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to developing better medicines or perfumes, deciphering the mirror images of molecules can help scientists understand the chemical architecture of life, said chemist Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the journal Science.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of understand
Verb
  • Traditional American business values like social responsibility, community involvement, and customer service — y’know, the things companies used to at least pretend to care about — have been tossed aside.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone pretends the films were chosen purely on merit, but the slate often reads Hollywood with a lanyard and a conscience.
    — Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pretend
Verb
  • The new material is being introduced as part of a collection of 26 pieces aimed at reducing the dependence on conventional synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels such as nylon and polyester.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Until the 1960s, most public-school funding was derived from local sources, leaving poor areas with meager resources.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of derive
Verb
  • Until today, human scientists have been the agents responsible for discovering cancer cures, and for doing so they (and key associates) have been showered with academic credit and awards, perhaps even a Nobel Prize.
    — Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In a game that looked lopsided for the better part of three quarters, the Chargers did enough Sunday to scare the defending Super Bowl champions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of do
Verb
  • Can the letter writer let sister know her fuss over food and product choices for 4-year-old nephew is hard to watch?
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Speaking of nail-biters, Marisa Berenson, better known for her roles in front of the camera, is in the process of putting together her own movie project.
    — Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of know
Verb
  • How hair supplements work The oral-versus-topical distinction matters more than most marketing lets on.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As for 5-star quarterback Julian Lewis, who was demoted last week, there seems to be more to the situation than Deion is intentionally letting on.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of let on
Verb
  • Heading into the midterm elections, AI now ranks as a key issue in races that will help decide control of both chambers of Congress.
    — Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • This feels more like the 2008 financial crisis where the government decided a cash-infusion could help stabilize the market, this time in the form of a television agreement that leads to more teams making the postseason.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of decide

Browse Nearby Words

make-or-break
make out
make over
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Cite this Entry

“Make out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20out. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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