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 camera pans out to the hallway as visitors flee, while the gorilla’s roar echoes loudly in the background.
—
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
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
Still, there’s no doubt that his speed, motor and defensive IQ should mesh well somewhere in this team’s lineup, regardless of how this second-line experiment, which started positively against Calgary, pans out.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
While episodes have been airing on cable, Wednesday will mark their streaming premiere — and all 10 episodes will come available, meaning that fans won’t have to wait much longer to see how the rest of the season pans out.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
The camera pans out to show that there are even more bloodstains splashed over the subflooring of the living room.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
The camera then slowly pans out to reveal that Couric is actually wearing a hospital gown as doctors nearby prepare her for a colonoscopy.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Sometimes this strategy pans out.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
Wenger still faces sentencing in that case, regardless of how the civil rights trial pans out.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
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
Still, there’s no doubt that his speed, motor and defensive IQ should mesh well somewhere in this team’s lineup, regardless of how this second-line experiment, which started positively against Calgary, pans out.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
While episodes have been airing on cable, Wednesday will mark their streaming premiere — and all 10 episodes will come available, meaning that fans won’t have to wait much longer to see how the rest of the season pans out.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
The camera pans out to show that there are even more bloodstains splashed over the subflooring of the living room.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
The camera then slowly pans out to reveal that Couric is actually wearing a hospital gown as doctors nearby prepare her for a colonoscopy.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Sometimes this strategy pans out.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
Wenger still faces sentencing in that case, regardless of how the civil rights trial pans out.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pans out
Verb
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Jane Fonda’s courtside look proves that the best outfits are built on pieces that do the work for you.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
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This particularly applies to an opening visual metaphor, in which an old veteran is haunted by a vision of his past, which proves more excessive and obvious than enlightening.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And the real differentiation doesn’t always come from whether the grifter fails or succeeds in their mission; the nature of the grifter’s success or failure can be just as indicative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
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Whether or not Burdge succeeds in getting the deed to Sawmill Island, his love for it is apparent.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There goes his liver, Rachel thought.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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But with the June primary ballot deadline rapidly approaching, the delay likely nixes the possibility of the city amending its own tax before a possible statewide measure goes before voters.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Assuming everything works out, shipping should commence in August.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Jan. 2026
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If everything works out for Joseph, Denver special teams coach Darren Rizzi said a new team will be getting someone special.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pans out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pans%20out. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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