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

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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
  • That question motivated Clark to better understand aging among plants and animals and to look for hints to extend humans' lifespan.
    — KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • It's also got two passive radiators for deep bass, and CMF says it's tuned the driver to extend its low-end range.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of extend
Verb
  • The surrounding countryside, by comparison, was littered with large numbers of trees that were toppled as the shock waves produced by the exploding asteroid high above radiated downward.
    — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The film’s focus on the strange and unprecedented power dynamics in an industry that’s hurtling forward at all costs radiated off-screen as well.
    — Hayden Field, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • From elevating beds to expanding sections to sliding walls and even entire roofs, these 10 homes transform to get maximum use out of a compact space.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Blue Origin is expanding its Florida operations to support a much faster launch schedule, targeting multiple New Glenn flights per week by the end of the decade.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Through a particular sequence of such branching decisions, Waddington argued, cells specialize into their mature types, or fates, each expressing a particular set of genes.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Dawnwalker is similar in terms of its branching storyline and great side quests, but unique with how vampirism affects gameplay.
    — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of branch
Verb
  • In the narrative to has unfolded from authorities and passenger accounts, Machchhar had the presence of mind to open the locked door of the cockpit after he was stabbed.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • When the pre-sale opened this week for the band’s reunion tour, the Powderfinger camp was collectively gobsmacked.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of open
Verb
  • The question confronting Israel and its international partners is not simply whether money should flow into Gaza, but also who controls it—and whether the next arrangement will avoid the failures of the last.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The program could also be targeted rather than universal — triggered by sector-specific unemployment spikes, income level, or geography, so the money flows first to the workers AI disrupts most.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • Confusion appears to be a recurring theme surrounding Pike’s botched execution, and that is evident in the events that unfolded thereafter.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The mood in the Commanders’ booth was a little different as Bram Weinstein and analyst London Fletcher couldn’t believe what was unfolding in front of their eyes.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfold
Verb
  • People with alpha-gal syndrome may experience allergic reactions after consuming mammalian meat or other products derived from mammals, including certain dairy products.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The plant makes renewable glycols, ingredients used to produce polyester that are usually derived from fossil fuels.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 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.

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fan (out)
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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 19 Oct. 2026.

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