1
as in proved
to come to be
the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in succeeded
to turn out as planned or desired
the investment scheme didn't quite pan out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of panned out
Neither attempt panned out, leaving her in limbo for now.
—
Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
Getty Images The Toronto Blue Jays have had plenty of notable players in recent years, including some top prospects who panned out into superstars and some who did not.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
None of those leads panned out until 1902 when new evidence placed the fugitive in Nome, Alaska, part of Klondike gold rush.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
This option hasn’t panned out, either, because other states and tribes in the region have been unwilling to provide wolves to Colorado.
—Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 22 Jan. 2026
None of his schemes panned out.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Five years after the transatlantic automaker Stellantis was formed through a merger, the business hasn't necessarily panned out as investors hoped.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2026
While interest in wholesome family content, particularly of the Mormon variety, has garnered the region growing attention, not all aspects of the state’s popularity have panned out so well, leading to a new set of laws to protect Utah children.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 13 Jan. 2026
And the Patrik Laine acquisition from the Columbus Blue Jackets — a calculated risk that has not panned out — came with a second-round pick the Canadiens just used to acquire Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
Getty Images The Toronto Blue Jays have had plenty of notable players in recent years, including some top prospects who panned out into superstars and some who did not.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
None of those leads panned out until 1902 when new evidence placed the fugitive in Nome, Alaska, part of Klondike gold rush.
—Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
This option hasn’t panned out, either, because other states and tribes in the region have been unwilling to provide wolves to Colorado.
—Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 22 Jan. 2026
None of his schemes panned out.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Five years after the transatlantic automaker Stellantis was formed through a merger, the business hasn't necessarily panned out as investors hoped.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2026
While interest in wholesome family content, particularly of the Mormon variety, has garnered the region growing attention, not all aspects of the state’s popularity have panned out so well, leading to a new set of laws to protect Utah children.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 13 Jan. 2026
And the Patrik Laine acquisition from the Columbus Blue Jackets — a calculated risk that has not panned out — came with a second-round pick the Canadiens just used to acquire Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panned out
Verb
-
Improvisation proved central to his process and gave the film a sort of hybrid nature, blending fiction with bits of documentary.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Our leadership blames wind and solar for grid issues, but the 2021 freeze proved the real culprit was a lack of preparation by the state and power generators.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rooted in 200 years of personal history, the hotel has succeeded in paying homage to the area’s history as well as serving as a modern gathering place for the local community.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The designer succeeded former Gucci artistic director Sabato De Sarno in March 2025.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The frogs have evolved to be resistant to the toxins.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Death is an inescapable part of French life, and the layers on layers of Parisian history on display at Père Lachaise Cemetery are a fascinating peek into how the city has evolved over time.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The 5-foot-5 de Oliveira, who worked out mostly at receiver Saturday, showed adept ball skills catching the football and her quick feet presented a challenge for defensive backs trying to cover her routes.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
-
While Minnesota was hot from deep, the tactic worked out in the end Sunday.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
So, owner Robert Kraft went with another familiar face and former Super Bowl champion, this time with head coaching experience already.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
As for accessories, Union went mostly minimal, save for a few pieces of gold jewelry to add a pop of color contrast to the mostly monochrome look.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This undiplomatic tirade went over well in the White House, but marked him as a belligerent nativist abroad and something of an isolationist at home.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
An Oxford University study found that from 1960 to 2016, host cities went over budget by an average of 156%.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Panned out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panned%20out. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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