fan
noun
any device for producing a current of air by the movement of a broad surface or a number of such surfaces.
had fanned
-
past perfectof fan.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
As for the postwar era, while Europe celebrated, in Asia World War II had fanned the flames of rebellion and sparked new struggles for power.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
In little more than an hour, dozens of settlers had fanned out across the hills.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2025
Colin Powell had fanned the flames about a possible run with his 1995 memoir, “My American Journey,” putting him on bestseller lists and the 1996 interview circuit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2025
The funeral took place away from the glare of the media and in stark contrast to the brazen, self-publicising style with which Prigozhin had fanned his reputation far beyond Russia for ruthlessness and ambition.
From Reuters ● Aug. 29, 2023
America’s pride in its growing power and international stature had fanned patriotism to a new intensity.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
