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
Alphabet, too, was left for dead by the Street on fears that management wasn't executing and the company's AI strategy wasn't panning out to the point the were being overtaken by others.
—
Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The Guthrie family is aware that the investigation might need to be transitioned and has been briefed on the fact that certain leads have not been panning out, the sources said.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
The Guthrie family is aware that the investigation might need to be transitioned and has been briefed on the fact that certain leads have not been panning out, the sources said.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panning out
Verb
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But Viktor Arvidsson, who assisted on all three regulation goals and is proving to be a fantastic acquisition, beat Greaves on a backhander to cash the two highly improbable points.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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Saudi Arabia is also proving its usefulness as a US ally.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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McConnell, who turns 37 next month, was officially introduced as the 28th head coach in Saint Mary’s history on Wednesday, succeeding Bennett, who left the school after 25 years to become Arizona State’s next head coach.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That has dropped with every succeeding poll.—
Craig Gilbert,
jsonline.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Crews found a nearby manhole had a ladder coming out of it and wires were exposed.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Between the athletes the hill helped achieve their goals, to the family memories from locals coming out on free ski Sundays, Howelsen is a landing point for Steamboat to anchor against as the march of time rolls on.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The group said Denali was a little shaky at first but quickly found her footing, nursing before going over to meet her big brother Diane.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
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In the final Showcase round of the game, the final two players guess the price on a large collection of high-value items and the closest guess to the correct price without going over wins the whole pot.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After a falling out, the two went their separate ways, and Bill opened his own shop, Lafayette Coney, next door.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
27 Mar. 2026
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The two reportedly had a falling out after his divorce from Miley’s mom, Tish, but are said to be in better terms now.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gas prices continue to rise in Massachusetts and commuters are working out ways to cut back on spending.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Another way to cut down on decision fatigue while working out is to start with the same move, which creates another predictable routine.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Through their achievements, thought leadership, and commitment to their clients and communities, these attorneys represent the future of the legal profession and continue to shape the evolving landscape of law.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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For decades, Los Choneros has exerted a profound influence over the country's escalating violence, evolving from a regional gang into a sprawling network with international reach.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To meet his growing costs, Meraj had increased the price of a cup of tea from ten rupees to fifteen, a fifty-per-cent rise (in New York terms, like a cup of drip coffee going from just shy of four dollars to nearly six overnight).—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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McDowell is with 916 Community Alliance, going inside underserved community classrooms to help keep the peace.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Panning out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panning%20out. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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