1
as in proving
to come to be
the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in succeeding
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 panning out
That is panning out with Knowles and Fanendo Adi, who will take over for Jeremy Hall as head coach of the Loons’ developmental team, MNUFC2.
—
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Vrána not panning out hurt the Mantha return some, and many of the second-rounders Detroit acquired didn’t materialize either.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Thanks to partisan gerrymandering, once-competitive districts have now become easy targets that fundamentally prevent a truly massive seat haul from actually panning out.
—Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Earlier forecasts of high temperatures dropping into the 80s in the Dallas area weren't panning out, the weather service there said.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Staffers at the restaurants told the Post the main sanctuary is vacant, a hint that the idea proposed in 2023 to put in a 320-seat, bi-level theater is not panning out.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Aug. 2025
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Vrána not panning out hurt the Mantha return some, and many of the second-rounders Detroit acquired didn’t materialize either.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Thanks to partisan gerrymandering, once-competitive districts have now become easy targets that fundamentally prevent a truly massive seat haul from actually panning out.
—Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Earlier forecasts of high temperatures dropping into the 80s in the Dallas area weren't panning out, the weather service there said.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Staffers at the restaurants told the Post the main sanctuary is vacant, a hint that the idea proposed in 2023 to put in a 320-seat, bi-level theater is not panning out.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panning out
Verb
-
Several New Jersey school districts are planning to welcome students back on Tuesday, but some places, like Jersey City, have been forced to cancel classes for a second day due to the clean-up after the snowstorm proving to be a daunting task.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Elsewhere, the performance has been two-pronged, with Asia and the Middle East proving a boon for bigger players but less representative and underexplored for SMEs.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some examples of altscalers that are succeeding with differentiation are Cloudflare and Vultr.—
R. Scott Raynovich,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
As reported, Picardo was named CEO last fall, succeeding cofounders and sisters Monica and Gaby Vinader.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While on the ground, video shows an officer coming out of the struggle holding a gun, which looks like the picture of the gun released by the Department of Homeland Security.—
Jennifer Mayerle,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
After coming out of retirement ahead of the 2024 season, Lindsey Vonn, 41, has qualified for her fifth Olympics and her first since Pyeongchang 2018.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The stainless steel lamp shell can withstand rain, snow, frost, and sleet, and can even handle the lawnmower going over it.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Police say that the initial investigation indicates that Perry’s Jeep was traveling far too fast in the westbound lane and going over the double-yellow lines in order to pass first a tow truck and then the Elantra.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Though an unlikely duo due to their differences, their friendship is put to the test after a falling out, with the pair left to contemplate the true nature of their feelings for each other.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Open floor plans are falling out of favor after being popular for many years, Hassen shares.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Our tester, Alexandra, spends a lot of time swimming and working out, so a formula that tackles grease and sweat is paramount in her routine.—
Olivia Rose Rushing,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Comeback season is also when the five really hone in on self-care, Yeji emphasizing sleep and working out and Chaeryeong fitting stretches into her rituals.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This rising use of AI has principally been spurred by the evolving advances and widespread adoption of generative AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Traditional infrastructures depend on predictable, centralized controls, whereas the Web3 environment operates on open networks, real-time settlement, and evolving code.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
San Jose was seventh in MLS with 60 goals scored while going 11-15-8 last season.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
But most of its richest pleasures come down to Fiennes going balls to the wall with a truly memorable character — half lunatic and half visionary.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Panning out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panning%20out. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
