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
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There’s a bohemian vibe radiating from Serena & Lily’s Kittery rug, but the rigid grid motif lends the design some structure, a detail that can appeal to more formal design personalities.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2026 -
Grayson is a strong and beautiful presence, radiating warmth, humor, and style, and sporting a wide range of talents.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The current inscribes some victims’ skin with mysterious scarlike patterns called Lichtenberg figures, which resemble the limbs of a barren tree—or the branching structure of lightning itself.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
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Prune to establish a strong structure of old wood and branching to support a healthy plant with new green growth.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In practice, that means the Commission is wary of big mergers, unless they are paired with social taxes — protecting jobs, expanding network coverage in poorer areas and ensuring the Black majority benefits.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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OpenAI has spent the last few years expanding its tools into standalone products.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ahead of a meeting in Brussels, the European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc's foreign ministers would discuss possibly extending a naval mission that protects ships in the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, without giving any details.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
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Carlsbad is extending a temporary art program begun in 2019 that places colorfully painted, oversized beach chairs in public places around the city.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This is where the tax-free growth actually happens, so choosing and allocating investments is the step that makes the Roth worth opening.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
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This is where the tax-free growth actually happens, so choosing and allocating investments is the step that makes the Roth worth opening.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The foundation said that besides Lee's 911 call, at least four other 911 calls were made by others that day, including from her husband and people who saw parts of the crime unfolding -- but that communication failures and other issues prevented help from being sent.—
DAVID FISCHER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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But the unfolding story also reveals a grown child from McGee's past that even the proud family man didn't know about.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 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 21 Mar. 2026.
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