as in criticizing
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of
virtually all the movie critics have panned this latest sequel in a tired series
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of panning
The poster, whose name is Shannon White, shared a video of herself in late November, seated on an airplane looking unhappy before panning to her boyfriend by the window seat.
—
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Büsser, standing behind an employee who was panning through a detailed 3D model of MB&F's HM11 Architect, said the design stage alone can take years.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
Kim Kardashian is getting the last laugh as Hulu has renewed Ryan Murphy's new ensemble legal drama All's Fair, despite critics panning the reality star's performance in the first season.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
There’s panning a book, and then there’s taking the time to figure out that the author exclusively used first results on google for their research lol.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
Highlights include tractor rides around the farm, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting, along with music, local vendors, children’s crafts, panning for gems and a farm stand full of fresh flowers and produce, including local honey.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
And a long, lingering shot panning up a woman’s body in an advertisement for soda.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Reviews for the new project have fallen all across the board, with some hailing it as peak Swift genius and others panning it altogether.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2025
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.
—Melina Khan, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Büsser, standing behind an employee who was panning through a detailed 3D model of MB&F's HM11 Architect, said the design stage alone can take years.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
Kim Kardashian is getting the last laugh as Hulu has renewed Ryan Murphy's new ensemble legal drama All's Fair, despite critics panning the reality star's performance in the first season.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
There’s panning a book, and then there’s taking the time to figure out that the author exclusively used first results on google for their research lol.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
Highlights include tractor rides around the farm, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting, along with music, local vendors, children’s crafts, panning for gems and a farm stand full of fresh flowers and produce, including local honey.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
And a long, lingering shot panning up a woman’s body in an advertisement for soda.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Reviews for the new project have fallen all across the board, with some hailing it as peak Swift genius and others panning it altogether.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2025
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.
—Melina Khan, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panning
Verb
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Conservative leaders and activists are criticizing the NFL's choice, citing the artist's political views and challenges to gender norms.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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The video, made with artificial intelligence, went viral on social media platform TikTok in a matter of hours, and hundreds of comments poured in criticizing the establishment.—
Imelda García,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the familiar narrative — blaming teachers, curriculum or school culture — misses deeper structural realities behind the numbers.—
Jill Stegman,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Over time, this builds discernment and institutional memory, and ensures that people take responsibility for their calls, rather than blaming the models.—
Carolyn Dewar,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And while criticism of insurance companies was bipartisan, Republicans and Democrats also blamed one another for the crisis, with the GOP faulting Obamacare and Democrats accusing Republicans of using the hearings to deflect from their own inaction to address rising premiums.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
22 Jan. 2026
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Some Havana Syndrome victims have spent more than a decade trying to draw attention to their cases, often faulting the government for failing to provide enough support or access to specialized medical care.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Morial wants every member of Congress to sign a resolution condemning the racist comments.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
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In the days after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in September while speaking at a Utah college campus, stunned followers of his conservative movement mourned online, condemning political violence.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Beutner, who entered the contest in October, spent much of his campaign denouncing Bass’ handling of the Palisades fire, which destroyed thousands of homes and left 12 people dead.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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His candidacy sparked sharp divisions, with supporters portraying him as a symbol of stability and opponents denouncing him as a reminder of authoritarian rule and unresolved war crimes.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Providence coach Donny Reynolds has seen Mandac knocking on the door since his high school career began.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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As the captain took the women back to the gate and off the property, Trader allegedly came up and hit Abzal in the face, knocking him back.—
Sara Machi,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Panning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panning. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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