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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
  • The practice is about expanding your field of vision before narrowing it.
    — Angela C. Hill, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • But scientists can now tune proteins with surgical accuracy by expanding that toolkit with custom, synthetic building blocks.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of expanding
Verb
  • Youth and parents linked their loss of care to spikes in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, with stress radiating through entire families.
    — Dr. SJ Job, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The map shows other towers close by, each radiating a string that is fastened to the map when other towers radio in readings.
    — Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of radiating
Verb
  • Skims has hired Tapestry veteran Natalie Buchberger as director of franchise for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, extending a recent run of leadership appointments as the shapewear and apparel company builds its international business.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Lamont’s budget director, Office of Policy and Management Secretary Josh Wojcik, wrote in an email to state agency heads that extending current benefits at least for one more year also would help ensure departments are properly staffed.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 18 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
  • Another sign of Purdy’s confidence and command came in Australia during the season-opening win against the Los Angeles Rams, when Purdy found receiver Demarcus Robinson for a 39-yard touchdown, San Francisco’s first of the season.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Provis is officially opening to the public this weekend, aiming to provide dark academia vibes and competition-level coffee to the area.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of opening
Verb
  • The event, unfolding in Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach complex, was one of the biggest Middle East film festivals at the time, and its demise sent shockwaves through the burgeoning Arab film industry.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
  • On the one hand, the film pays witness to all the authoritarian insanity unfolding at state houses around the country.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 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

“Fanning (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanning%20%28out%29. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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