Synonyms of pan out

pan out

verb

1

as in to prove

to come to be

the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prove
• fall out
• evolve
• shake out
• come out
• turn out
• develop
• emerge
• play out
• unfold
• work out
• germinate

2

as in to succeed

to turn out as planned or desired

the investment scheme didn't quite pan out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• succeed
• go
• bear fruit
• go over
• click
• work out
• deliver the goods
• catch fire
• come off
• deliver
• do the trick
• go like clockwork
• catch on
• flourish
• prosper
• thrive
• cook
• percolate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strike out
• wash out
• fail
• miss
• founder
• fold
• collapse
• bomb
• struggle
• flop
• languish
• flunk
• decline
• slip
• flounder
• sink
• skid
• slump
• fall down
• crack up
• wane
• crumble
• go under
• choke
• crash
• flame out
• miscarry
• crater
• implode
• misfire
• self-destruct

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pan out

Though Porgy and Bess didn’t pan out, Spielberg further explored stage-to-screen adaptations with 2021’s West Side Story, which garnered seven Oscar nominations and clinched one for Supporting Actress for Ariana DeBose. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 14 June 2026

And while fans watch the love lives of their favorite characters like Maddie Townsend, played by JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Helen Decatur, played by Heather Headley, pan out on-screen, in real life, these actors have love stories of their own. —Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

Do the Nuggets want to draft yet another small-ball center option when Holmes and Nnaji haven’t panned out as steady backups? —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 June 2026

If neither of those oversized options pan out, the Bulls would have to look slightly below 7 feet for a potential center, such as Washington’s 6-10 Hannes Steinbach and Houston’s 6-10 Chris Cenac Jr. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026