make out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“And I think what people miss about that is these companies were so cheap relative to what you could make out of them that it didn’t make any difference what oil did,” he said.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

Initially, it seemed like he might make out fine, even as he insisted on pleading guilty.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

On the Marine Traffic map, which tracks world shipping movements, you can make out clusters of ships, mainly tankers, anchored far to the north near Kuwait, as well as off the coast near Dubai.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

The shout was audible in the broadcast, although many viewers would have struggled to make out the word.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

I startle at the sound of a voice, and then squint into darkness to make out a neighbor leaning out her front door, drying her hands on a dish towel and smiling ruefully in apology.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse