panning out

verb

present participle of pan out
1
as in proving
to come to be the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The quirky sci-fi comedy starring Diedrich Bader and Chris Parnell did not end up panning out for Spelling. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026 There were theories that 007 First Light could slide in as one of the sleeper hits of 2026, and, at least critically, that idea seems to be panning out. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 Venable bounced from the Guardians to the Phillies to the Dodgers after Preller — fresh off the Matt Kemp/Justin Upton/Wil Myers infusion not panning out — traded him to the Rangers. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026 No one has any idea how these guys will end up panning out, which is exactly what happened when the Birds selected quarterback Donovan McNabb with the second overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Alphabet, too, was left for dead by the Street on fears that management wasn't executing and the company's AI strategy wasn't panning out to the point the were being overtaken by others. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026 The Guthrie family is aware that the investigation might need to be transitioned and has been briefed on the fact that certain leads have not been panning out, the sources said. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panning out
  1. proving
  2. succeeding
  3. coming out
  4. going over
  5. falling out
  6. working out
  7. evolving
  8. going
Verb
  • His strategy at United has been all about proving that an airline can be something more.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The suits say continuous noise from data centers’ cooling systems and power generators is substantially interfering with local neighbors’ use and enjoyment of their property — a legal standard for proving a private nuisance.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of proving
Verb
  • There are other factors that effect children in these communities, but the evidence suggests that having an involved father can be an important protective factor that improves a child's chances of succeeding academically, economically and socially.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Multiple Alabama sources insisted that Kiffin’s behavior during his time in Tuscaloosa precluded him from ever succeeding Nick Saban and becoming the Crimson Tide’s head coach.
    — John Talty, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of succeeding
Verb
  • But there is no question there’s going to be accountability for the corruption, for the excess, for the abuse of power that has existed coming out of this White House.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Aaron Donald, one of the fiercest pass rushers in NFL history, is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Rams in hopes of winning another Super Bowl title.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of coming out
Verb
  • So picking up Pete, rounding the bases, and then going back in the dugout and everything that unfolds while that’s happening is just as important as the play-by-play of that ball going over the fence.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Whether incorporated through a chic shoulder bag, lightweight layers, or comfy footwear, suede adds visual interest to any outfit without going over the top.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of going over
Verb
  • Getting from one status to the other turned out to be considerably less dramatic than their falling out.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The years following Harry and Meghan’s departure to the US saw a public falling out with the wider royal family.
    — Max Foster, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of falling out
Verb
  • The Grand Slams and players are working out how the council will be selected and structured, with further details expected soon.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Some fitness enthusiasts swear that working out on an empty stomach burns more fat, while others insist that eating beforehand is essential for maximizing energy and performance.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of working out
Verb
  • In the new era of asymmetric warfare, advanced variants of Thales’ 70mm rockets are increasingly well suited to counter-drone missions, delivering reliable and scalable effectiveness against evolving aerial threats, according to a press release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • What launched in a modest nook between two floors of the Palazzo del Casinò now occupies its own island in the lagoon — evolving from festival curiosity into a key hub for a protean art form.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of evolving
Verb
  • After going behind early to a Kai Havertz goal, PSG had to remain patient, before gradually asserting their authority in the contest.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The whole thing was essentially an American Cadillac crossed with an Italian coachbuilt exotic, at a time when Detroit was already going completely bonkers with automotive excess.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of going

Browse Nearby Words

panning
panning out
panoplies
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Cite this Entry

“Panning out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panning%20out. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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