fan out

verb

fanned out; fanning out; fans out
Synonyms of fan outnext
: to spread apart or to cause (something) to spread apart
The police fanned out across the park in search of the suspect.
He fanned out his fingers.

Examples of fan out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Lisa’s red coat fanned around her like a personal halo, covering her bare shoulders and fanning out several feet behind her with a dramatic train. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026 Unlike a tornado, microburst damage looks flattened out, with trees pointing in the same direction or fanning out from one another. — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Sep. 2026 Pesticides and herbicides come under scrutiny In one of Ladera’s parks this month Brody’s father watched as volunteer researchers fanned out across the grass with shovels and latex gloves. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026 Looking forward to seeing the ‘Krewe’ and all the fans out there. — Rob Maaddi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fan out

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Cite this Entry

“Fan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fan%20out. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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