1
as in to cope
to meet one's day-to-day needs
we're not rich, but we're making out all right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
The joke was that Wallen, country music’s fastest-rising star, had been invited back after he was kicked off a prior episode for violating COVID protocol — i.e., making out with girls at a bar unmasked and getting caught on camera doing so.
—
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
On one side, there were makeshift cubicles made out of plasterboards.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 May 2025
It’s made out of low-maintenance all-weather wicker, steel, and aluminum.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
As to the media statements, Cook could not offer adequate proof of one element ― malice ― and so could not make out a prima facie case for defamation as to the media statements.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for make out
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
On one side, there were makeshift cubicles made out of plasterboards.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 May 2025
It’s made out of low-maintenance all-weather wicker, steel, and aluminum.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
As to the media statements, Cook could not offer adequate proof of one element ― malice ― and so could not make out a prima facie case for defamation as to the media statements.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for make out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make out
Verb
-
Humor alleviates stress, and serves as a valuable coping mechanism, helping individuals to reframe challenges & foster resilience.—
Anjali Chaudhry,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
Like Venice, Barcelona and other historic European cities, Bruges has been struggling to cope with overtourism.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
The Times spoke to both sides, as well as multiple experts to better understand the high-stakes litigation, which faces obstacles but could shake up California’s home insurance industry.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
-
For a long time, a very evolved, smart person that makes poor choices sometimes can still understand what that means.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Scam warnings have been issued in multiple states over criminals pretending to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
-
Johnson then dramatically threw the sweater across the front of her dress before relaxing deep into her seat and — now protected from any unwanted surprises — pretending to wipe the sweat from her brow.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
This includes Francoise Bettencourt Meyers of France, an heiress to the L’Oreal fortune who is worth $86 billion, by far the largest fortune to derive from a pure beauty company.—
Jemima McEvoy,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Naturally derived emulsifiers may not always be better.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
One of his owners, Craig Leipold, did, back in January.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
5 June 2025
-
Filling should still jiggle slightly (in the middle only) when done.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
They are also known as direct-to-participant trials or virtual studies.1 DCTs may offer several benefits, including convenience for participants.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
31 May 2025
-
Everyone knows the dangers that’s on [the East River], that current.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
As mentioned above, there are myriad factors—international transportation bottlenecks, natural disasters and supplier insolvency, among others—that need to be considered simultaneously in real time to decide what’s best for the business.—
Sadagopan S,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
But given a chance to keep the cash that Biden had sent the State flowing, Trump has decided to throttle it back.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
As Guidry and Bowen try to decipher what led to Adam’s murder, viewers are taken on a ride.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 May 2025
-
As advocates on both sides of the police accountability debate decipher what Trump's about-face means for those communities, some are now focusing on what his administration might do next as allies seek to redefine the summer of 2020.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make%20out. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share