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
-
Soft and sweet, his voice fit the song like a glove, radiating simple pleasures throughout.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
7 Oct. 2025 -
What had seemed an impossible task transformed into a practical matter of six little arrows, radiating around a central concept.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This will promote branching and produce a fuller plant.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
And the Guinness family made a mark well outside the brewery, with subsequent generations branching into politics, banking, land development, and more.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The partnership is now expanding to include all 32 NHL teams, featuring more than 20 new apparel styles, as well as accessories such as bags, bottles, and hats.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
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Building or expanding power plants to generate that much electricity on Altman’s timetable indeed seems almost inconceivable.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Through his attorney, Gabe Banks of Banks Weaver Law Firm, Tyrese issued a formal statement extending condolences to the Parker family and accepting responsibility for his dogs.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Galaxy Digital — Shares jumped nearly 3%, extending Monday’s gains after the digital assets investment platform unveiled a Robinhood-like trading system c alled GalaxyOne.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Celebrating the opening Post Malone, placed the new bar’s tab on himself Wednesday.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Oct. 2025
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Five of those came in the campaign’s opening five games, matching a record set by predecessor Henry a decade earlier.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There are no helping hands when the entire movie may or may not be unfolding inside someone’s head.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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And on July 4, 1777, with the war unfolding not far away, the Congress gathered there for a meal to celebrate the United States’ first birthday.—
Victoria Flexner,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
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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 14 Oct. 2025.
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