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
By July of 2025, Asymmetric’s liquid fund had lost significant value, leading McCann to funnel investors into a new venture that failed to pan out.
—
Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Though her political aspirations didn’t ultimately pan out, Ortega went on to find success in the entertainment industry by landing roles as early as 12, appearing on Jane the Virgin and Stuck in the Middle.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Whether those lawsuits pan out is a separate question.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
So far, that theory has panned out.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Though her political aspirations didn’t ultimately pan out, Ortega went on to find success in the entertainment industry by landing roles as early as 12, appearing on Jane the Virgin and Stuck in the Middle.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Whether those lawsuits pan out is a separate question.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
So far, that theory has panned out.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pan out
Verb
-
The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office and the Draper City prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Maybe the bright lights of a win-or-go-home playoff game proved too big of a moment for a young, inexperienced Hawks team.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The question is two-fold 1) who is the Browns’ starting quarterback, and 2) will Concepcion see the volume to consistently succeed in fantasy?—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Then Booth succeeded Connelly as Denver’s lead executive when Connelly left for Minnesota.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, the 2026 draft saw a running back go third, a middle linebacker go seventh, and nine offensive linemen gone by the end of the first round.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a lot that goes (on) behind the scene as a manager.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shortly after the final whistle blew in Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United, the players went over to take the acclaim from their supporters.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
After a few lessons, miraculously, some of them went over the net.—
Nicola Harrison,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Tap or click a highlighted area for details.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Twenty lucid dreamers, including Bark-Huss, spent multiple nights in the lab, trying to work out puzzles in their sleep.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
Not every sale works out like that, but Kahn has done well enough to make this his career.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pan%20out. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
