fanning (out)

verb

present participle of fan (out)
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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)
  1. expanding
  2. radiating
  3. extending
  4. branching
  5. opening
  6. unfolding
Verb
  • Known for its expanding flosses, the company has been on a growth streak of late, growing its business 183 percent in three years and expanding its presence in key retailers like Target and Walmart.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Luckin’s senior management is considering expanding into the Gulf countries, Chairman David Li told CNBC in an exclusive interview on Monday.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of expanding
Verb
  • In photos shared by celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos on September 19, the British lawyer could be seen radiating in a sunshine yellow sundress during a week-long trip to Malawi, Africa as part of a Clooney Foundation for Justice initiative.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Barbara and Ibby forge a friendship that’s unexpectedly compelling because of the strength of the two actors, radiating an interiority that isn’t on the page.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of radiating
Verb
  • The fight, Haro said, is about more than extending a lease or delaying an eviction.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • On her feet were strappy, buckle-heavy platform sandals with oversize straps extending off the sides and wrapping around her ankles, with the highest strap wrapping around the tapered jeans.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of extending
Verb
  • Moor explains how this form of thought emphasizes branching, growth, and pruning, as opposed to hierarchical ordering, and shows how these principles can be identified in the work of writers like Tolstoy and Wordsworth.
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Winterberry is a beautiful specimen tree during the winter months, featuring striking berry colors and a lovely branching habit.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of branching
Verb
  • Both airlines, which merged in 2024 but operate as distinct brands, are also working on opening airport lounges to lure customers willing to shell out for luxury travel.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • After opening a second store on the Left Bank, Parisian handbag duo Léo et Violette have given their Rue Sainte-Anne flagship a fresh encore, with Betyle Studio designing a space inspired by the founders’ love of opera and music.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of opening
Verb
  • The play is a gently unfolding, calmly delivered tale of the decades of horrors endured by a real-life person named Eddie Jaku.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The origination of the artwork soon belongs to history, but history is ongoing—an unfolding future.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Fanning (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanning%20%28out%29. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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