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
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.
Recent Examples of pan out
Rowland’s departure followed years of awarding millions in bonuses to more than a few amateur international free agents who did not pan out, particularly ones from Latin America.
—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2026
After the Brady Tkachuk deal, Zito has now sent off nine first-round picks during his tenure to obtain what amounts to five long-term members of Florida’s core (along with a couple of players in moves that didn’t fully pan out).
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
The plan never panned out, but the name stuck.
—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
Though Porgy and Bess didn’t pan out, Spielberg further explored stage-to-screen adaptations with 2021’s West Side Story, which garnered seven Oscar nominations and clinched one for Supporting Actress for Ariana DeBose.
—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2026
After the Brady Tkachuk deal, Zito has now sent off nine first-round picks during his tenure to obtain what amounts to five long-term members of Florida’s core (along with a couple of players in moves that didn’t fully pan out).
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
The plan never panned out, but the name stuck.
—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
Though Porgy and Bess didn’t pan out, Spielberg further explored stage-to-screen adaptations with 2021’s West Side Story, which garnered seven Oscar nominations and clinched one for Supporting Actress for Ariana DeBose.
—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pan out
Verb
-
That verdant vista of a piece of ancient, intricate architecture centered me in storied Osaka and proved a delightfully consistent through line for my stay.
-
In its conclusion, the report said forensic evidence did not prove Oliver died from inflicted trauma.
Verb
-
Marine Le Pen succeeds her father as president of the National Front, launching a long-term effort to broaden the party’s appeal and distance it from its extremist image.
-
But instead of playing kingmaker, the lame-duck governor has refused to get behind a candidate to succeed him.
Verb
-
News of his death – one example of the political violence roiling America in recent years – quickly went global, with graphic videos flooding social media and politicians on both sides of the aisle swiftly condemning the killing.
-
Leo Jimenez also went deep for the Marlins, who set a franchise record with 12 homers for a three-game series.
Verb
-
Even an aggressive plaintiff would know that lingering past dark wouldn’t go over well in court.
-
The flyover will go over the USS Razorback at Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in Riverfront Park, along the shore of the Arkansas River.
Verb
-
Submitting a tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive and clicking the link underneath their picture.
-
Listen to the full live conversation by clicking the play button above.
Verb
-
There’s a lot of bad crowd work out there, just like there is bad anything else — fledgling or whatever rookie stuff.
-
Monday could be interesting, though, to see how all the processing of the trade works out, and if there yet could be a Heat plus-one in this process.
Cite this Entry
“Pan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pan%20out. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
