pan out

verb

panned out; panning out; pans out
Synonyms of pan outnext

intransitive verb

: to happen, end, or develop in a particular way : turn out
I'm really enjoying how this is all panning out now and it is so exciting and intriguing to watch and find out what happens next …—Gary Neville
especially : succeed
… the signs revealed that the experiment wasn't panning out … —Ronald Reagan
She [Dixie Hollins] noted that learning about arts and entertainment fills her creative side and works as a great plan B if her goal of working in the medical field doesn't pan out. —Karin Davis-Thompson

Synonyms of pan out

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Examples of pan out in a Sentence

the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out the investment scheme didn't quite pan out
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Investments in big-name stars did not pan out, including a seven-year, $245 million deal for Anthony Rendon that had to be restructured and will end after this season, with Rendon playing just 257 games for the franchise and none since 2024. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 The Yankees parted with Rowland at the end of last season after years of awarding millions in bonuses to international free agents who didn’t pan out, particularly ones from Latin American. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 The deputy had previously tried to pursue genetic genealogy through one grant process, but the results didn’t pan out. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026 If all these additional investments pan out, only 10% of the world’s oil will need to travel through the Strait of Hormuz, down from 20% before the war. — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pan out

Word History

Etymology

pan entry 2

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pan out was in 1865

Rhymes for pan out

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Browse Nearby Words

panorpoid
pan out
panpipe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pan%20out. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pan out

verb
: turn out sense 5
especially : succeed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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