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
  • Trump remains data-center booster amid bipartisan opposition The rapid expansion of data centers, which house networks and services for digital information and services, is proving to be the rare issue that cuts through party lines.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Under the convention the burden of proving that exclusion falls on the Fund, not the claimant, and Oman has three years to force the question in court.
    — Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of proving
Verb
  • At present, markets have largely anticipated Andy Burnham succeeding Starmer.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Parton and my mom taught that literacy was key to succeeding — Mami regularly took us to the library, while Dolly created a nonprofit that provides free books to young children, including Spanish-language options.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of succeeding
Verb
  • Fifth-round selection Jaden Dugger is still a raw product coming out of Louisiana, but the 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker is getting opportunities in practice to try his hand at a variety of spots.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • One of the hottest debates in the energy industry right now is how much oil is actually coming out of the Persian Gulf, and the answer could determine how long the Iran war lasts.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of coming out
Verb
  • Now both sides are releasing those background reports, with the defense going first by going over 20 pages of Austin Metcalf's behavioral history.
    — J.D. Miles, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • My problem is the kart path along the road has 3 or so feet of grass between it and the road, then suddenly the grass narrows and is eventually gone before going over the bridge and everything is squeezed together.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of going over
Verb
  • The couple left the UK for North America in 2020 after stepping back from royal life, and the years since have seen a public falling out with the wider royal family.
    — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The following must be addressed to avoid a potential falling out between their sons and to protect their own estate.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of falling out
Verb
  • Feliciano, a founder of Clearlake Capital in Santa Monica, took the mound at Petco Park on Monday afternoon, working out of a stretch and looking toward an invisible runner at second base before delivering a pitch.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • However, even those without a passion for boxing can enjoy working out with a speed bag.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of working out
Verb
  • The update makes Claude more useful in carrying out work tasks as Anthropic is evolving the assistant into more of an AI workplace agent.
    — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Yesterday’s punk, grunge, and rebel-outsider upstarts have an uncanny way of evolving into today’s elder statesmen of respectable infamy.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of evolving
Verb
  • The antlers grew off to the sides of the deer’s head instead of going upward, which contributed to the wide inside spread and long beams.
    — Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Shortly after exiting, Hawley complained of feeling lightheaded before slumping to the ground and going unconscious.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 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 31 Aug. 2026.

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