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
Relevance
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)
Verb
-
For patrician statesmen, grandeur is usually understated, radiating restraint rather than gawk-inspiring shows of brazen wealth.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026 -
On the water, the 55-year-old mother seems to come alive, her adventurous spirit radiating outward, lighting her from the inside out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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From there, MacPherson worked with boxing coach Graham Shaw before branching into Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, training each discipline in isolation before combining them into a cohesive MMA skill set.—
Sean Sennett,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2026
-
These open-branching shrubs make an informal hedge that requires little pruning.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The executive director of Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District provided a statement, saying the wharf is evolving, new businesses are opening, and the area is expanding in ways that make Fisherman's Wharf more accessible and engaging.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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These are jobs not created, customers not served, communities that don’t reap the benefits of expanding local business.—
Walter Rowen,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Also in Lake County, the City of Groveland went through a similar process last year with over 69% of voters choosing to support an ordinance extending council terms from two years to four years and impose term limits for council members and the city’s mayor.—
James Wilkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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As survivors watch lawmakers lock horns over the Iran war and the record-long Department of Homeland Security shutdown, some worry extending disaster tax relief will be de-prioritized.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After some spring training struggles, a season-opening assignment to Triple-A and a pair of forgettable starts, the pitcher is happy to have a scoreless start under his belt.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
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TokyoReuters — Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defense export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for exports of warships, missiles and other weapons.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Virginia bluebell buds are also unfolding into pink dangling flowers.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
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Advertisement That tension is unfolding as Congress returns from a two-week recess, having been largely absent from the most volatile early phase of the conflict.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
14 Apr. 2026
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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 22 Apr. 2026.
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