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Dictionary.com

fan out

VERB
deploy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
expand open set up use
STRONG
arrange display dispose extend position unfold utilize
WEAK
form front put out patrol set out spread out take battle stations
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conclude end finish
STRONG
conceal disarrange disorder displace disturb hide withhold
WEAK
not use
VERB
expand
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bolster broaden develop enlarge grow increase open spread swell widen
STRONG
aggrandize amplify bloat burgeon detail diffuse dilate distend elaborate embellish explicate fatten heighten hike inflate lengthen magnify mount multiply mushroom pad piggyback prolong protract pyramid stretch thicken unfold unfurl unravel unroll wax
WEAK
beef up blow up bulk up fill out open out outspread puff up slap on soup up spread out stretch out tack on upsurge
Antonyms
STRONGEST
close compress decrease diminish end halt hide hinder lessen narrow reduce restrict shrink stop
STRONG
abbreviate contract curtail deflate fall lower shorten shrivel simplify tangle thin withhold
WEAK
abridge
VERB
extend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boost broaden continue develop enhance enlarge expand go on increase last lengthen open prolong spread stretch take widen
STRONG
aggrandize amplify augment crane dilate draw elongate heighten magnify mantle multiply pad protract stall supplement unfold unfurl unroll
WEAK
add to beef up carry on drag one's feet drag out draw out let out prolongate run on spin out spread out string out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abbreviate abridge cease close compress decrease diminish discontinue end finish halt hide hinder lessen lose lower narrow reduce restrict shorten shrink stop
STRONG
constrict contract curtail degrade
WEAK
condense cut hold keep maintain take back
VERB
unfold
Synonyms
STRONGEST
spread stretch out unfurl unravel
STRONG
disentangle display expand extend fan flatten loosen open release straighten unbend uncoil uncurl undo unroll untwist unwind unwrap
WEAK
outspread outstretch reel out shake out uncrease
Antonyms
STRONG
abridge close contract cover hide hold keep lessen lower maintain shorten shrink twist wind
WEAK
block check conceal fold stagnate stop withhold wrap

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He oversees a vast signature-gathering operation, which includes workers who fan out across parking lots and public parks with clipboards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

“There is a huge global weight of money in narrow areas like AI. When this money begins to fan out of AI, we are extremely well positioned.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025

They still had to fan out in the fields to pick up the other varieties of watermelon, but this time without the machine, which is used only for the smaller fruit.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2025

Far from just looking pretty, it can allow crowds to fan out to multiple rides without congestion forming around one.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2025

Red, blue, green, and gold drinks fan out like a quetzal’s rainbow of feathers across the six clear trays on Crick’s cart.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

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