fizzle

play

verb fiz·zle \ ˈfi-zəl \

Definition of fizzle

fizzled; fizzling play \ˈfi-z(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

1 :fizz

2 :to fail or end feebly especially after a promising start —often used with out

See fizzle defined for English-language learners

See fizzle defined for kids

Examples of fizzle in a Sentence

oozing gobs of grease, a pair of fatty burgers fizzled on the grill

Recent Examples of fizzle from the Web

After scoring 20 goals in six games, Louisville City FC's offensive firepower unceremoniously fizzled Saturday night in a 3-0 loss to Orlando City B at Louisville Slugger Field.

— danielle lerner, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville City FC shut out at home in loss to Orlando City B," 26 Aug. 2017
Efforts to pass such restrictions fizzled out in May as part of an ongoing fight that’s pitted Republicans against businesses and Republicans against Republicans.

— star-telegram, "Here’s what happened to Abbott’s agenda during the special session," 16 Aug. 2017
In the past decade, new apartment buildings have been built downtown, even as plans for a baseball stadium there fizzled.

— c. j. hughes, New York Times, "A Flurry of Development Hits Westchester," 8 Aug. 2017
In recent years, research into oracles bones, used to divine the future during China’s Shang dynasty, has fizzled out.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Museum Offers $15,000 Per Character to Decipher Oracle Bone Script," 26 July 2017
Within a few years, though, enthusiasm for them had fizzled out.

— The Economist, "Education technologyTogether, technology and teachers can revamp schools," 22 July 2017
After the actor’s departure, Ben Whishaw was thrown into the mix as a potential replacement, but that fizzled out too.

— rebecca keegan, HWD, "A Last Lesson from Martin Landau," 17 July 2017
Last month, two tropical storms popped up, with Tropical Storm Bret becoming the earliest to form east of the Antilles before fizzling offshore.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Weekend tropical cyclone likely near Windward Islands," 3 July 2017
JL: Jelena Ostapenko will not fizzle out in the first round, but rather, make a run deep into the second week, silencing the doubters and the haters and the naysayers.

— the si staff, SI.com, "Wimbledon 2017 preview roundtable: Predictions, dark horses, more," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fizzle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fizzle

perhaps alteration of fist to break wind

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1840

See Words from the same year

fizzle Synonyms

Synonyms

fizz, hiss, sizzle, swish, whish, whiz (or whizz)

Related Words

swoosh, wheeze, whistle, whoosh, zip; bubble, effervesce; buzz, drone, hum

fizzle

noun

Definition of fizzle

:an abortive effort :failure

Examples of fizzle in a Sentence

the home team's unexpected fizzle in that last game cost them the championship
the play was a fizzle, opening and closing the same night

Recent Examples of fizzle from the Web

Banister: Rangers' offense fizzles as Hamels struggles The Texas Rangers didn't do enough Saturday with their nine hits, said manager Jeff Banister, and Cole Hamels had an unusually bad day (video by Jeff Wilson).

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers’ best bet gets bitten hard by last-place A’s," 26 Aug. 2017
The Atlantic’s sixth tropical storm of the season is expected to slam the Yucatán Peninsula later today while a second wave that last week looked more ominous fizzles, National Hurricane Center forecasters said Monday.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Yucatán braces for Franklin while second Atlantic wave loses steam," 7 Aug. 2017
Dru (Carell again) provides shock paddles to a movie that is close to flat-lining — an opening action sequence fizzles, and the movie wastes time reminding us who everyone is.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "Minion magic rescues disposable 'Despicable' sequel," 29 June 2017
Some of these fizzle on our doorstep, some come through with a sound and fury.

— jeff halverson, Washington Post, "Five years ago the derecho ravaged Washington. It will happen again. Will we be ready?," 29 June 2017
Plus: What might anchor the Cleveland sports conversation this summer if the Cavs fizzle and the Indians continue to disappoint?

— zack meisel, cleveland.com, "Should Cleveland fans feel disappointment toward the Cavs, resentment toward the Warriors, or both? Takes by the Lake," 8 June 2017
Following the fizzle of his coming-of-ager Goodbye Berlin (Tschick) last year, Fatih Akin bounces back and bounces high with an edge-of-seat thriller inspired by xenophobic murders in Germany by a Neo-Nazi group.

— deborah young, The Hollywood Reporter, "‘In the Fade’ (‘Aus dem Nichts’): Film Review | Cannes 2017," 26 May 2017
Soldiering On Schulz, a former European Parliament president, led the SPD to a surge in the polls after his nomination in January, only to see support fizzle in regional elections.

— arne delfs, Bloomberg.com, "Merkel's Hand Strengthened by German Voters Ahead of Summits," 14 May 2017
Soldiering On Schulz, a former European Parliament president, led the SPD to a surge in the polls after his nomination in January, only to see support fizzle in regional elections.

— arne delfs, Bloomberg.com, "Merkel's Hand Strengthened by German Voters Ahead of Summits," 14 May 2017

First Known Use of fizzle

1846

fizzle Synonyms

Synonyms

collapse, crash, cropper, defeat, failure, nonachievement, nonsuccess

Antonyms

accomplishment, achievement, success

Related Words

futility, uselessness; ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy; deficiency, inadequacy, inadequateness, insufficiency; disappointment, letdown, setback

Near Antonyms

victory, win

FIZZLE Defined for English Language Learners

fizzle

play

verb

Definition of fizzle for English Language Learners

: to gradually fail or end

FIZZLE Defined for Kids

fizzle

play

verb fiz·zle \ ˈfi-zəl \

Definition of fizzle for Students

fizzled; fizzling

:to fail after a good start

Our winning streak fizzled out.

Learn More about fizzle

See words that rhyme with fizzle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fizzle Spanish Central: Translation of fizzle Nglish: Translation of fizzle for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up fizzle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

fizzle

Definition of fizzle

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of fizzle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fizzle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fizzle

fizzle Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

fizzle

Definition of fizzle

Examples of fizzle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fizzle from the Web

First Known Use of fizzle

fizzle Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

FIZZLE Defined for English Language Learners

fizzle

Definition of fizzle for English Language Learners

FIZZLE Defined for Kids

fizzle

Definition of fizzle for Students

Learn More about fizzle

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Words of the Year: 1066