as in criticizing
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of
virtually all the movie critics have panned this latest sequel in a tired series
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of panning
Critics have been particularly brutal about the reality star's performance while panning the Ryan Murphy legal drama.
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Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Highlights include tractor rides around the farm, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting, along with music, local vendors, children’s crafts, panning for gems and a farm stand full of fresh flowers and produce, including local honey.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
And a long, lingering shot panning up a woman’s body in an advertisement for soda.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Reviews for the new project have fallen all across the board, with some hailing it as peak Swift genius and others panning it altogether.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2025
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.
—Melina Khan, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
In July, a Coldplay concert jumbotron captured an awkward moment after panning to an embracing couple, who promptly unlocked arms and tried to dodge the camera.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
First panning for gold in the rivers, the search here gave way to huge underground mines, including the famed Empire Mine, which is now an intriguing state historic park in Nevada County’s Grass Valley.
—Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Most critics appreciated the performances, panning the way tropes overpowered the story.
—Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panning
Verb
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This third point is particularly important when there is an outspoken founder in the wings like Chip Wilson who has been publicly criticizing board decisions.—
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Since a shooting by an ICE agent in Minnesota killed a woman earlier this week, Martina Navratilova has shared dozens of X posts criticizing him and others in ICE.—
Verb
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The next day, in an email, Wynn appears to explain, blaming a dollar figure for teachers’ benefits that was mistakenly counted twice.—
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Discussions about the strike and closure online often turn ugly and devolve into blaming one side or the other.—
Verb
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On Earth, tectonic faulting in the seafloor enables water to plunge kilometers down into the rock, and as fresh faults are opened up by shifting tectonic plates, new rock is exposed, maintaining the nutrient supply released into the ocean through hydrothermal vents.—
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This reality helps explain why postliberal critiques faulting the Constitution for failing to impose a single moral or cultural vision miss the mark.—
Verb
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After condemning political violence in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, Tisdale defended what many online considered to be a tribute to the conservative activist.—
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On Thursday, though, Staios released an explosive statement condemning those who continue to spread stories or add to the spiraling rumor mill.—
Verb
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But in a shocker move in September 1983, Joe Strummer kicked guitarist Mick Jones out of the band, denouncing his former mate as a rock-star sellout.—
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Voters also believe that tariffs are exacerbating the situation, but few Republicans are denouncing them or calling for policy changes.—
Verb
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The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
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Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Cite this Entry
“Panning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panning. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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