fan (out)

verb

Definition of fan (out)next
1
as in to stretch (out)
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area the accordionist smoothly fanned out the bellows of his instrument as he played

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to radiate
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point most of the city's subway lines fan out from this central station

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fan (out)
  1. extend
  2. radiate
  3. expand
  4. branch
  5. open
  6. flow
  7. unfold
  8. derive
Verb
  • The attention to detail extended even to Obama’s on-screen aide, played by his real-life Director of Oval Office Operations Brian Mosteller.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Seiya Suzuki followed with a two-run single to extend his career-high on-base streak to 25 games.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of extend
Verb
  • Everything on the premises radiates with July heat, from the bleachers surrounding the course to the DIY rig near the ticketbooth inveigling passersby to pull a string that sends a gout of fire into the air.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
  • His prose radiates an ecstatic pessimism, as if lit up from within by the relief of not having to sugarcoat things with comforting lies.
    — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • Start the conversation, suggest the class, or invite someone into a plan that expands the room.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
  • South Africa's utility, Eskom, plans to develop a 1-gigawatt solar manufacturing facility to capture more value from its fast-expanding solar market and respond to changing electricity demand.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Pruning cuts back the plant’s shape and encourages branching.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The mycelium—the branching network of microscopic filaments that makes up most of a fungus—has been made into leather alternatives, packaging, insulation and even building materials.
    — Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Definition of branch
Verb
  • Carey clapped in celebration, opening her homecoming with a hit.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • And once their permanent facility opens at 19 Brock Avenue (a converted townhouse), that personable spirit will certainly continue.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of open
Verb
  • Some more images show Kidman, Bullock, 62, King, 26, and Williams, 29, wearing flowing gowns while hooked onto wires, seemingly filming a scene that involves flying, in front of a blue screen.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Exports flowing from Saudi ports have blunted some of the impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure.
    — Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • But the worse the scene unfolding through the glass gets, the more troubled Jake becomes—by the celebrity’s actions, yes, but also by his own.
    — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Martinez’s campaign unfolded amid allegations by Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree that prosecutors in his office would no longer appear before him because of years of misconduct.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfold
Verb
  • Facts + Comments A medication derived from cannabis significantly reduced nightmares in patients with PTSD, according to German researchers.
    — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The word algebra derives from the al-jabr in this title, which, by extension, also informs the word algorithm.
    — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of derive
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.

Browse Nearby Words

fanny packs
fan (out)
fans
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Cite this Entry

“Fan (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fan%20%28out%29. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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