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Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 19, 2019	Nov. 01, 2019
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	$ 16,877
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	101,865		$ 103,837
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments	$ 2,950
Samuel Joint Venture \| Joint Venture Transactions
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates	63.00%
Additional ownership interest acquired in joint venture				31.75%
ArtiFlex
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
ClarkDietrich
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates	25.00%
Cabs Joint Venture
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates	20.00%					20.00%
Serviacero Worthington
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$ 101,865
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments	$ 5,900
Nisshin
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates					10.00%
Impairment charge		$ 4,236