fizzle

1 of 2

verb

fiz·​zle ˈfi-zəl 

fizzled; fizzling ˈfi-zə-liŋ 

ˈfiz-liŋ

intransitive verb

1

: fizz

2

: to fail or end feebly especially after a promising start

—often used with out

fizzle

2 of 2

noun

: an abortive effort : failure

Synonyms

Verb

• hiss
• bubble

Noun

• defeat
• collapse
• failure
• crash

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

That truce showed signs of fizzling this week, though, with China announcing strict new limits on exports of rare earth minerals crucial to high-tech products. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025

Clearly, the relationship with Shaggy got too intense too soon and fizzled out. —Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025

Noun

Still, whether the mega AI data center boom keeps roaring or fizzles, Nvidia is positioning itself to own the invisible infrastructure that underpins whatever future system emerges. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2025

Startups fail, investments underperform, strategic alignment fizzles and you’re left with slide decks and press releases instead of revenue and impact. —Michael Johnson, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps alteration of fist to break wind

First Known Use

Verb

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fizzle

• chisel
• drizzle
• grizzle
• sisal
• sizzle

Kids Definition

fizzle

verb

fiz·​zle

ˈfiz-əl

fizzled; fizzling

-(ə-)liŋ

: to fail after a good start

—often used with out

fizzle noun