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

If David Ojabo doesn’t pan out, the Dolphins might be forced to lean on one of the rookies - Trey Moore, Max Llewellyn, Mason Reiger or Rodney McGraw — to play on early downs. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026

This isn’t a re-rank — more of an evaluation of how the top 10 classes, according to the 247Sports Composite, panned out now that the players in this cycle have completed three years of college. —Manny Navarro, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Yet, a new report by consulting firm Mercer shows this trend hasn’t actually panned out. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 9 May 2026

Benito himself hasn’t confirmed anything, so these fan theories could pan out — or be totally baseless. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2026