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

Like many of us, LISA had a fallback in case her K-pop career didn’t pan out. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026

For one thing, similar pledges he's made in the past haven't panned out. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Roobroeck and Terrance are both coming off down years on a bad AHL Hartford team, with scouts who watched the Wolf Pack giving the 6-foot-7 Roobroeck a better chance of panning out in a bottom-six role. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

If Eldridge’s career pans out as expected, there will be plenty more big moments down the line. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2026