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
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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
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From minimalist finishes to playful graphics and elevated textures, these manicures set the tone for the year ahead, proving that short nails aren’t a fallback—they’re the focus.—
Kat Suico,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
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This week, when the Golden Globes honored the actor and producer with the Carol Burnett Award at its special Golden Eve celebration, Parker unknowingly tipped her hat to that very same look, proving that her personal style is as consistent as her industry contributions.—
Freya Drohan,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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News of Ayaz’s promotion comes ahead of Disney’s announcement of a new CEO, succeeding vet Bob Iger.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
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Risch served three years as Kempthorne’s lieutenant governor before succeeding him as Idaho’s 31st governor for a seven-month stint in 2006.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jay Woods, chief market strategist at Freedom Capital Markets, said traders’ heads on the floor are moving fast as the week begins with a ton of headline risk coming out of Washington.—
John Melloy,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Yeah, and this could easily be the biggest story coming out of Tuesday night.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Cubs had whiffed on Bregman a year earlier when they were outbid by the Boston Red Sox, and chairman Ricketts had repeatedly expressed his revulsion for going over the luxury tax.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
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Such a move would have allowed the Heat to add a replacement player without going over the punitive luxury tax.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Open floor plans are falling out of favor after being popular for many years, Hassen shares.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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The band formed when Sydney was still in elementary school, evolving from childhood rehearsals into international success, creative independence, and now, a chapter marked by adulthood, reflection, and family.—
Holly Alvarado,
Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Yann LeCun, one of the godfathers of AI who had led long-term research initiatives, also departed in December, further signaling Meta’s evolving AI strategy.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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San Jose was seventh in MLS with 60 goals scored while going 11-15-8 last season.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
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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 16 Jan. 2026.
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