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

The sheer random nature of life means sometimes even great picks in the first round don’t pan out, and of course sometimes bad picks in the first round don’t pan out either. —Keith Law, New York Times, 19 June 2025

The mother-of-three cutely stuck out her tongue at the camera before panning out onto the field. —Kayla Grant, People.com, 9 June 2025

There was a glimmer of hope in 2023 when Chetrit teamed up with hoteliers Ian Schrager and Ed Scheetz to try to get the project back on track and restructure the loans, but that didn’t pan out. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 2 June 2025

None have panned out so far as the historic building has sat vacant for over 15 years. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025