panned out

verb

past tense of pan out
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of panned out That is not how things panned out in Spain’s 2-0 victory over France, in a fascinating contest that saw few instances of individual brilliance. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Here’s what else to know about the two-day draft and how recent Sox and Cubs draft picks have panned out. — Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 Bedrock Materials, which was making sodium-ion batteries for EVs, also closed up shop, citing a bet on a lithium supply shortage that hadn’t panned out. — Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 But if its job is to tower over Chinese operations, well, that has not panned out. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 The plan never panned out, but the name stuck. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 20 June 2026 Do the Nuggets want to draft yet another small-ball center option when Holmes and Nnaji haven’t panned out as steady backups? — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 June 2026 In the end, after some number-crunching, neither option panned out. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 June 2026 Nothing panned out until late last year. — Julia Coin may 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panned out
  1. proved
  2. succeeded
  3. evolved
  4. worked out
  5. went
  6. went over
Verb
  • But that’s exactly what happened, and the area proved to be one of the tournament’s smashing successes.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • First, an Enzo Fernández header in the 85th minute equalized before a Lautaro Martínez header in stoppage time proved to be the game-winning goal.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 July 2026
Definition of proved
Verb
  • SpaceX has yet to attempt such a recovery with Ship but has succeeded in doing so with Super Heavy three times so far.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 13 July 2026
  • The states succeeded in convincing a judge to freeze the merger in advance of a trial.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Definition of succeeded
Verb
  • Tunnel walks have evolved from viral social media moments into marketing platforms for luxury brands, agencies and media companies, giving athletes new ways to shape their identities, engage fans and expand brand visibility.
    — Nethumi Kannangara, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026
  • Reporting doorbell or dashcam videos of potential fireball sightings can help researchers track and collect meteorites – and ultimately improve their understanding of how the solar system evolved.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of evolved
Verb
  • The average 8% increase worked out to approximately 62 cents more per item, according to Mickey Visit.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 July 2026
  • Gotta hand it to Odysseus — having a bunch of soldiers hide inside a giant horse to infiltrate Troy worked out beautifully.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of worked out
Verb
  • Alexander, who signed a two-way deal with Utah last week, made contact with the Bulls' Caleb Wilson while driving toward the basket and, after tossing the ball toward the hoop, went behind the basket clutching his side or abdomen.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • Donaldson, who went undrafted out of Miami last season, is signed by the Heat to a two-way deal.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of went
Verb
  • Alexis Mac Allister went over the back of a defender and finished with a header.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • England captain Harry Kane went over a temporary wall, which appeared roughly 4 feet high, set up for advertising.
    — David K. Li, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Definition of went over

Browse Nearby Words

panned
panned out
panning
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Cite this Entry

“Panned out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panned%20out. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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