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GRE vocabulary

pan

verbHigh-frequency wordMore P words

to criticize something harshly and unfavorably

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In a sentence

Pan in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing pan in a sentence.

Critics panned the film for its incoherent plot and wooden acting.

Critics panned the novel for its wooden dialogue and predictable plot.

Antonyms
praiseextollaudcommend

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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

The treaty's terms were deliberately blank, allowing each side to interpret the key clauses in whatever way best suited its own interests.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “pan” well

In this sense pan is informal and specific to reviews or public judgment, unlike the broader censure or disparage. Do not confuse it with the everyday noun for a cooking vessel.

Common questions

Questions about “pan”

Pan (verb) means to criticize something harshly and unfavorably
Here is pan used in an example sentence: "Critics panned the film for its incoherent plot and wooden acting." Another example: "Critics panned the novel for its wooden dialogue and predictable plot."
Common synonyms for pan include lambaste, censure, disparage, excoriate.
Antonyms of pan include praise, extol, laud, commend.
On the GRE, pan clusters with lambaste, censure, disparage, and excoriate, opposing praise, extol, laud, and commend.
Yes. Pan is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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