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

Laporta’s detractors point to his record of promises that didn't pan out. —ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

There’s no dramatic inhale or fill to signal the delay, nor does the dusty beat pan out. —Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026

But her own real-estate investments haven’t always panned out. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 11 Mar. 2026

But for Dobson’s red card in second-half stoppage time, who knows how things may have panned out? —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026