sorted out; sorting out; sorts out
1
: to understand or find (something, such as a reason or a solution) by thinking
I'm trying to sort out a way to do it.
2
: to find an answer or solution for (something)
He's still trying to sort out his problems.
We need to get these problems sorted out as soon as possible.
They couldn't come up with a solution and decided to wait to see whether problem sorted itself out.
3
: to solve the problems of (someone)
They're still trying to sort their son out.
I just need a little more time to sort myself out.
4
British, informal
: to deal in a forceful way with (someone who is causing problems)
I told my brother they were bullying me, and he promised to sort them out (for me).
British
: an activity in which someone makes a room, closet, etc., neat and organized
Let's have a sort-out of the attic.
Examples of sort out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2025
Plenty of wildcards still to be sorted out While Republicans in both chambers are largely in line on their hopes to get a plan to President Trump's desk in the coming weeks, their razor thin margins threaten their ambitious agenda with lots of moving parts.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
In addition to Glenn, The White Lotus Season 3 guest stars Sam Rockwell as Frank, a buddy of Rick’s who is trying to sort out his complicated life in Bangkok.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
And companies small and large scrambled to sort out if their supplies from abroad were tariffed, how prices would change and when to pass higher costs to consumers.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sort out
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Phrasal verb
Since Tuesday, when the layoffs began, lawmakers, medical associations, research universities and state health agencies have scrambled to sort out which jobs were eliminated, and how to respond.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2025
Plenty of wildcards still to be sorted out While Republicans in both chambers are largely in line on their hopes to get a plan to President Trump's desk in the coming weeks, their razor thin margins threaten their ambitious agenda with lots of moving parts.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
In addition to Glenn, The White Lotus Season 3 guest stars Sam Rockwell as Frank, a buddy of Rick’s who is trying to sort out his complicated life in Bangkok.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
And companies small and large scrambled to sort out if their supplies from abroad were tariffed, how prices would change and when to pass higher costs to consumers.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sort out
Cite this Entry
“Sort out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sort%20out. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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