fan (out)

verb

Definition of fan (out)next
1
as in to stretch (out)
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area the accordionist smoothly fanned out the bellows of his instrument as he played

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to radiate
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point most of the city's subway lines fan out from this central station

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fan (out)
  1. extend
  2. radiate
  3. expand
  4. branch
  5. open
  6. flow
  7. unfold
  8. derive
Verb
  • Allen drained it to extend Charlotte’s lead to 20, and then found Dennis Schröder for a high-five as Miami called a timeout.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • L3Harris is pursuing an air-breathing ramjet design intended to improve fuel efficiency and extend engagement distances.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of extend
Verb
  • The antenna’s radiating surface would face downward, with a protective cover following the wing’s external contours.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • And then there’s an energetic quality, at times radiating light and other times shining it—with or without pulsing strobes—on others.
    — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • An interceptor that can engage targets at greater distances could expand the area protected by existing air defense units.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Founded by three childhood friends, Olivier Bon, Pierre-Charles Cros, and Romée de Gorianoff, who were later joined by Xavier Padovani, the Experimental Group gradually expanded to encompass wine bars, restaurants, and boutique hotels.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Traditional systems can branch, but only along routes someone anticipated and coded beforehand.
    — Maria Scott, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Traced through time, this changing geometry would resemble a pair of trousers, with one section branching into two legs.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of branch
Verb
  • The 67th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show opened Wednesday across six waterfront venues, welcoming thousands of visitors for day one of what is billed as the world’s largest in-water boat exhibition.
    — Mike Stocker, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Only recently did Spain open its rail network to private companies to compete against Renfe.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of open
Verb
  • From there, wine flowed as attendees tucked into filet mignon and sea bass while chatting across large burgundy floral centerpieces.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Some of the weapons from American manufacturers purchased during the Biden administration are still flowing to Ukraine, but many of those contracts have been fulfilled.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of flow
Verb
  • Designing a garment, sourcing the fabric, approving samples, placing an order and moving it to market can unfold over six to nine months.
    — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Events unfold over one evening as a hurricane rolls in, blocking communication from the outside world and preventing reinforcements from arriving.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfold
Verb
  • The twist here is that the action is derived from two different points in history, switching back and forth between eras and ultimately melding the two.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The guarantee derived from a calculation by Hoover’s engineering deputy, Arthur Powell Davis, that so much water flowed down the river that there would always be enough to meet every state’s needs.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of derive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

fanny packs
fan (out)
fans
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Cite this Entry

“Fan (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fan%20%28out%29. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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