1
2
as in succeeds
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 pans out
The final shot features Andy, Nigel, and Miranda all working in their offices, as the camera pans out and zooms away from the high-rise building in what may be an homage to Working Girl (1988), a thematic inspiration for Prada’s screenwriter.
—
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026
Every once in a while, your friend's cousin's idea for a movie actually pans out.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Whether that pans out remains to be seen, but Adlon noted the strange parallels between her character's journey with Maul and her own relationship with Witwer.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
No matter how the MVP chase pans out, the Spurs expect Wembanyama to continue to trigger the league’s most egalitarian offense.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2026
Depending on how that pans out, Embiid could miss the meeting between the Hawks and 76ers, who have the 16th-hardest remaining schedule, on Saturday.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
However, at the end of the video, the camera pans out to show a render of what appears to be an F-47.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
As the camera pans out, the screen flickers, and House appears for a second.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
There’s drag, and then there’s the drag-on-drag of girls playing boys playing girls playing… well, however that flow chat pans out.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026
Every once in a while, your friend's cousin's idea for a movie actually pans out.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Whether that pans out remains to be seen, but Adlon noted the strange parallels between her character's journey with Maul and her own relationship with Witwer.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
No matter how the MVP chase pans out, the Spurs expect Wembanyama to continue to trigger the league’s most egalitarian offense.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2026
Depending on how that pans out, Embiid could miss the meeting between the Hawks and 76ers, who have the 16th-hardest remaining schedule, on Saturday.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
However, at the end of the video, the camera pans out to show a render of what appears to be an F-47.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
As the camera pans out, the screen flickers, and House appears for a second.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
There’s drag, and then there’s the drag-on-drag of girls playing boys playing girls playing… well, however that flow chat pans out.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pans out
Verb
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Maybe a rookie proves worthy this summer.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
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Margot Robbie showing up to the Met Gala afterparty in jeans proves that even A-list celebrities can’t resist changing into their comfies after a fancy event.—
Claire West,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Staffiere succeeds Michael Colombo, who led the Lancers to their first Div.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
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Finn succeeds outgoing president John Rakich, who led the guild for five years, including through the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of global growth.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
6 May 2026
Verb
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As the story goes, this particular treasure hunter spent several days in those harsh conditions, carefully following a pre-determined grid pattern to ensure every square foot of the desertscape was scanned.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
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The place was an ultra-slick design temple conceived by Ian Schrager and Philippe Starck, and its high-wattage shellac invited a sort of anything-goes naughtiness.—
Nick Remsen,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The Take-Two CEO doesn’t drink, smoke, and works out nearly every day, and sometimes twice a day, Business Insider reported.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
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Cobb said that the requirement works out to about a thousand signatures, but that the group is aiming for 1,300.—
Ilana Arougheti
Updated April 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pans out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pans%20out. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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