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fanning
  • present participle of fan.

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.

The anticipated mega-IPOs of SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI are fanning private equity’s hopes that initial public offerings will once again be a viable exit path for the industry’s nearly 33,000 unsold businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

“It hasn’t been crazy over there, but here is something else,” the 29-year-old said, fanning herself.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

"People who are donating money are causing the problem of animal cruelty here, because they keep on fuelling it, they are fanning the fire," says Kakooza.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

Brent crude hit $100 a barrel at one point today after a report that Vice President JD Vance’s peace-talk trip to Islamabad had been delayed, fanning fears that negotiations had fallen apart.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

The fanning was at fever pitch now, and here came Imogene Lustbader down the aisle, clutching her music.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck