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

"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 play begins at Salieri’s end, the scene of a dying man fanning suspicions over his role in Mozart’s death.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Alex pushed open the heavy swing door and went into a room with a tiled chessboard floor and about fifty shelves fanning out from a central reception area.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz