fizzled; fizzling
ˈfi-zə-liŋ 
ˈfiz-liŋ
1
: fizz
2
: to fail or end feebly especially after a promising start
—often used with out
Examples of fizzle in a Sentence
Verb
oozing gobs of grease, a pair of fatty burgers fizzled on the grill
Noun
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 on the Web
Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Tis a truth universally acknowledged that in the second week of January, resolutions made in earnest over champagne toasts fizzle out like fireworks.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, the David Lynch–style tension built by Will’s arrival just kind of fizzles.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fizzle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
However, the two fizzled out by the end of that fall.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Tis a truth universally acknowledged that in the second week of January, resolutions made in earnest over champagne toasts fizzle out like fireworks.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
Today, many people start thinking about Christmas after Thanksgiving, and any sort of holiday spirit fizzles by early January.
—Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, the David Lynch–style tension built by Will’s arrival just kind of fizzles.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fizzle
Cite this Entry
“Fizzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fizzle. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
