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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
It could be decided on the final possession if things pan out as expected.
—
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Widder has gone on plenty of expeditions that didn’t pan out.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
If Purdy isn’t available for the 49ers, his backup is veteran Mac Jones, the New England Patriots’ 2021 first-round pick who didn’t pan out.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
But Julianne and Derek also have three sisters who had an early interest in the entertainment industry that never panned out.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pan out
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Widder has gone on plenty of expeditions that didn’t pan out.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
If Purdy isn’t available for the 49ers, his backup is veteran Mac Jones, the New England Patriots’ 2021 first-round pick who didn’t pan out.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
But Julianne and Derek also have three sisters who had an early interest in the entertainment industry that never panned out.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pan out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pan out
Verb
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The swift police response and use of video surveillance technology proved crucial in identifying and apprehending the shooter.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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Knowing the extent of your fit as opener can prove helpful in competitive auctions.—
Deb Harvell,
Arkansas Online,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bryan Seabury, who succeeded McNamara as head of drama in 2016, continues to lead the studio’s drama team; Kate Adler who ran comedy at the time, continues to do so.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
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Now, a team of international astronomers has succeeded in deciphering the gravitational wave signal, GW190412, to determine more about the collision and the resulting event that sent an infant black hole hurtling through space.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lucky went 1,500 days in the shelter without being adopted, then everything changed.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Before all that happened, though, there was the eight-course dinner, which went totally fine as predicted.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Layer it over a knit, or simply throw on and go over a T-shirt.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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Further illustrating this gap, Virginia pastor Howard John-Wesley went over the weekend with a sermon that condemned Kirk's murder but warned against casting Kirk as an American hero.—
Liam Adams,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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New customers can activate this welcome offer for a weekend full of football by clicking here.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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The rotating fan clicked, wobbled, and turned the other way.—
Lauren Rothery,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cristobal couldn’t be happier with how things have worked out so far.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Which faction would win such a battle will never be known, however, because a year after the bill was signed and after lengthy negotiations, a compromise was worked out and quickly enacted.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pan%20out. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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