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)
Verb
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The Senegalese goalkeeper leapt in the air and extended his body and stood absolutely no chance.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
17 June 2026 -
The vote extends a 17-year transformation effort at a once-infamous campus.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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From the Harvest Supermoon that radiates abundance and warmth, to the Cold Supermoon that glows with icy clarity, each lunar moment reflects a different mood and personality.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
8 Dec. 2025
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These waves radiate outward in all directions, sometimes spanning entire ocean basins.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Unsurprisingly, the property is expanding further with 43 new villas, set to open across the road in 2025.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
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Ulbrich envisions Walker expanding his leadership role on the defense as well with Elliss and defensive tackle David Onyemata no longer in the building.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The mission organically branched into working with the world’s best film composers on special-event film screenings with a live score.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
2 Dec. 2025
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The multiverse trope—which presents the idea of branching, alternate versions of reality—was once relegated to theoretical physics, esoteric science fiction, and fringe pop culture.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Infantino spoke at a news conference in Mexico City ahead of today's tournament-opening game there.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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This year’s Shakespeare in the Park season opens with a Romeo and Juliet set against the striking backdrop of a desert border wall.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
Verb
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There was a creek that seemed to flow in the direction of my truck.—
Scott Einsmann,
Outdoor Life,
12 Dec. 2025
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Tears were flowing in a Broward courtroom Wednesday as Jason Banegas' defense team ramped up efforts to avoid execution.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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As opposed to tragedy’s narrative arc of historical fate, tragicomedy unfolds in an infinite present.—
Eugenie Brinkema,
ARTnews.com,
14 June 2026
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With the new models, insurers can better assess how disruptions might unfold across shipping routes and supply chains rather than focusing solely on physical damage to individual assets, Woo said.—
Gautam Naik,
Fortune,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Adoring the outcome means deriving joy from seeing the success of others.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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Going against scientific evidence, Kennedy has regularly advocated for public access to experimental stem cell treatments, including those derived from umbilical cords, to treat a number of medical conditions.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
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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 17 Jun. 2026.
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