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

In Oregon, the reverse could pan out, with a Republican in contention to upend a Democrat’s hold on the office for the first time since 1982. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Their prospects, like Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio and Garrett Mitchell have all panned out, a testament to their player development staff. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Now, some of that has not panned out because the linebacker corps and secondary have to get a lot better, and the team needs more depth. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

The 25-year-old wing is as sharp as anyone in the NBA, a Stanford alum who once flirted with a future in biomedical engineering before his basketball career panned out. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026