1
2
as in to succeed
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 pan out
This option hasn’t panned out, either, because other states and tribes in the region have been unwilling to provide wolves to Colorado.
—
Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 22 Jan. 2026
Both are raw athletes with high potential, but Notre Dame is all too experienced with elite receiver recruits not quite panning out.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
But when the 4-year-old’s predictions weren’t panning out during the first weekend of playoff games this month, the situation took a nasty turn.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
None of his schemes panned out.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 22 Jan. 2026
Both are raw athletes with high potential, but Notre Dame is all too experienced with elite receiver recruits not quite panning out.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
But when the 4-year-old’s predictions weren’t panning out during the first weekend of playoff games this month, the situation took a nasty turn.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
None of his schemes panned out.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pan out
Verb
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Others, including prohibitions on universal vote-by-mail and ranked choice voting -- two voting methods that have proved popular in some states -- would happen immediately.—
LISA MASCARO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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The community response is not only defending people, but also providing a powerful counter-narrative that is proving MAGA’s assumptions about America wrong.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Magna Reserva succeeded yet proved part of a policy that ensured the vast majority of Venezuela’s resource would remain exactly where Chávez found it—trapped in the heavy silence of the subsurface.—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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The 24-year-old succeeds against all three levels of the pass defense, blocks well against defensive backs and even front-seven defenders and runs for yards off jet-motion touches, screens and downfield passes.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Most of them go deep into the memory vault of childhood, recalling fishing trips and family gatherings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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Nordstrom Lucky Brand Fair Isle Shawl-Collar Cardigan Both Lopez’s and Hudson’s sweaters appear to be from Polo Ralph Lauren (the former’s looks like this one that's no longer available, while the latter’s resembles this one that goes for $798).—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For more, see my interview with Yann LeCun, where the former head of research at Meta goes over LLM limitations and suggests we might be headed for this type of research in the future.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The state might overpay a provider because a parent got a raise, went over the program’s income eligibility, and didn't report it right away.—
Beki San Martin,
Freep.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To see all the looks from the 2026 Golden Globes red carpet, and for more of Glamour’s live show coverage, click here.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
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Communication is especially crucial when a team is experimenting through coverages, searching for a scheme that clicks, as the Bruins are.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Anderson traveled to New York for a potential job that didn’t work out and had been working at a pizzeria before his arrest, the law enforcement source told CNN.—
Kara Scannell,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
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Anderson had traveled to New York City for a job opportunity that did not work out and had been working in a pizzeria, according to that person.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pan%20out. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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