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 In the video, both Joanna and Chip could be seen wearing Princess Leia wigs, before panning out to show their 8-year-old son Crew dressed as a Stormtrooper. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026 Yet despite those signings not panning out, the owners are hell-bent on a salary cap, while the players are vehemently opposed. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Roobroeck and Terrance are both coming off down years on a bad AHL Hartford team, with scouts who watched the Wolf Pack giving the 6-foot-7 Roobroeck a better chance of panning out in a bottom-six role. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 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 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
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
  • Sam Moses is proving there's still something special about the old-fashioned way, despite new technology.
    — Steve Overmyer, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Short, softly layered, and effortlessly chic, the cut became synonymous with her style, proving that sometimes the simplest looks make the biggest statement.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of proving
Verb
  • The creative director was also named the CFDA’s Emerging Designer of the Year in 2023 and was appointed creative director of Proenza Schouler in September 2025, succeeding founders Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.
    — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • He was named president in 2014, succeeding the studio’s first president, Ed Catmull.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of succeeding
Verb
  • Darrel Grubbs, of Schererville, is considered a core volunteer for Habitat, coming out on a regular basis to help build homes.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Nicholson has taken a break from the spotlight, with his last movie coming out in 2010.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of coming out
Verb
  • Among other things, researchers will be able to assess the animals’ physiological stress — for instance, if their heart rate spikes while going over the freeway.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In fact, going over the seams multiple times will only make your cube more secure and airtight.
    — John Alexander, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of going over
Verb
  • That disorientation, the authors say, is due to the bird's internal clock falling out of sync with the sun's position in the sky.
    — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Fallows added SpaceX and Tesla are also falling out of favor with Long Angle members.
    — Frank Holland, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of falling out
Verb
  • Researchers are still working out exactly how the parasite causes this change, but studies have found changes in proteins in the host’s brain as the parasite manipulates it.
    — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In October 2026, Marinis told The Hollywood Reporter that the creative team was still working out the new show’s airing schedule and considering whether to introduce the spinoff through an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of working out
Verb
  • But tradition is also evolving, particularly for younger generations growing up in the United States.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Of importance to all of us on this team is watching what readers are interested in, understanding that Connecticut is evolving, and working to provide information that readers can use to make decisions in their lives.
    — Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of evolving
Verb
  • Plus, what’s behind the apparent rise in families going no-contact?
    — TheWeek, TheWeek, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Unable to ensure the security of domestic infrastructure, Gulf energy companies will increasingly hedge by going global.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 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 9 Nov. 2026.

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