FANNING (OUT) Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

fanning (out)

verb

present participle of fan (out)

as in spreading (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

as in radiating

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 fanning (out)

Verb

Those options reportedly include tighter economic sanctions and expanding restrictions on Iranian trade.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
At a hearing last week, as Assembly committee discussed measures including eliminating the $750 million cap, allowing above-the-line expenses, expanding eligibility, and extending the sunset date.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of expanding

Verb

The City of Angels star proved otherwise by uploading several photos of herself in her younger years, followed by a video of herself radiating from the inside and on the outside today.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
Peak was certainly radiating, thanks to glossy eyelid makeup, rose blush and highlight on her cheeks, and sparkling pink lips.

— Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of radiating

Verb

Currently, to meet the massive capital requirements of AI infrastructure, American tech giants are expanding financing channels into overseas markets like Europe while extending bond maturities.

— , CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
Dark black kohl rimmed her eyes before extending into a wing, in a style reminiscent of Egyptian royalty.

— Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of extending

Verb

Now, the couturier is branching further into ready-to-wear where her pieces start from $600.

— Ezreen Benissan, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Traced through time, this changing geometry would resemble a pair of trousers, with one section branching into two legs.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of branching

Verb

From early starts to days unfolding in offices, studios and city streets, the campaign brings together Hoka’s focus on comfort, performance and movement with Marni’s creative approach to personal style.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
The unrest is unfolding as France’s campaign to choose Macron’s successor gathers pace, with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen leading the race.

— Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of unfolding

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

fanning

fanning (out)

fanny

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fanning (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanning%20%28out%29. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fanning (out)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gauntlet

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes