fizzle

verb

fiz·zle | \ ˈfi-zəl

fizzled; fizzling\ ˈfi-z(ə-)liŋ

Definition of fizzle

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : fizz

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

fizzle

noun

Definition of fizzle (Entry 2 of 2)

: an abortive effort : failure

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about fizzle

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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: Verb

The break in the Ankara-Riyadh relationship dates back to when democratic hopes sparked by the Arab Spring fizzled out in Egypt. — Alex Ward, Vox, "Turkey’s unrelenting pressure on Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi, explained.," 24 Oct. 2018 Analysts expect an 18% to 20% increase over last summer, when several big titles fizzled. — Erich Schwartzel, WSJ, "Get Ready for a Multibillion-Dollar Summer-Movie Battle Royale," 10 May 2018 But when the plan fizzled out, the community was left with a stretch of rail that ended abruptly. — Julie Lasky, New York Times, "Syosset, N.Y.: Suburban Subdivisions and Wooded Hillsides," 11 Apr. 2018 Within weeks, however, the effort fizzled out: The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and Americans of every state united. — Josh Hafner, USA TODAY, "New California? 5 times Californians failed to split the Golden State," 17 Jan. 2018 Just two weeks after a lengthy sale process fizzled out, the aluminum-parts maker announced several updates Friday along with full-year financial results. — Charley Grant, WSJ, "Curiouser and Curiouser at Arconic," 8 Feb. 2019 Such an operation could provoke a dangerous confrontation at the border — or fizzle out and leave Maduro even stronger. — Scott Smith, The Seattle Times, "Venezuela’s crisis hits stand-still over emergency aid," 12 Feb. 2019 Like other trends of recent years — fidget spinners, hoverboards — the flip-sequin trend will soon fizzle out, giving way to some new iteration of plastic. — Jamie Lauren Keiles, Vox, "Flip sequins are the weird, glitzy fabric that kids can’t get enough of," 27 Nov. 2018 When those hopes fizzled Monday, attention turned to North Carolina. — Scott Bauer And Gary D. Robertson, The Christian Science Monitor, "Supreme Court: gerrymandering arguments must prove harm to voters," 19 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But a few of those fizzles stung, and the repetition felt like a rollercoaster - fun at first, but nauseating before long. — Hannah Orenstein, chicagotribune.com, "How working as a matchmaker ruined my love life," 30 June 2018 That is because sports leagues typically go one of two ways: A select few of them become financial behemoths, and many more fizzle. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "Box Lacrosse Set to Return to Long Island. Will It Stick This Time?," 15 Dec. 2018 Now, again, Hiram could be celebrating his victory by getting high and hallucinating on fizzle rocks, but that just doesn’t seem his style. — Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Riverdale's Winter Finale Finally Solves the Gargoyle King Mystery," 13 Dec. 2018 The immediate threats to Israeli security could of course fizzle. — New York Times, "Israel Feels Pride but Senses Peril as U.S. Moves Embassy," 13 May 2018 The 8-5 loss was the Cubs’ fifth already this season and punctuated Wrigleyville’s opening day celebration with a fizzle. — Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "It's too early to worry about the Cubs — so buckle up for the next 18 days," 11 Apr. 2018 No one knows if this will turn into a Hollywood story or fizzle under the crush of the long, draining road required to survive and thrive. — Bryce Miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Round 1: Will anger, desire spur a young San Diego boxer to spotlight?," 22 June 2018 The Maryland team pieced together a 15-play drive under the wire to put itself deep in Pennsylvania territory and then withheld the uncharacteristically quiet opposing offense to a fourth-down fizzle. — Katherine Fominykh, baltimoresun.com, "River Hill's Cooper McGeehan hits late field goal to give Maryland rare 9-6 win in Big 33 Classic," 16 June 2018 Men's' long jump showdown fizzles at the NCAA Championships. — OregonLive.com, "Women take over at Hayward, and Ducks look for a better day; Oregon track & Field rundown," 7 June 2018

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.