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 of fizzle

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

But their hot start fizzled into three losses in their final four regular-season games. —Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 May 2026

While there is a chance that the current efforts to unseat Starmer will fizzle out, that would probably just delay the crisis for a few months given the level of fragmentation in British politics, said Jonathan Tonge, a professor of politics at the University of Liverpool. —CBS News, 14 May 2026

Noun

If real users don’t watch or share the clips, a campaign fizzles. —Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026

Devon Energy should continue to rally even if the oil rally fizzles as bullish catalysts line up for the stock — including the closing of its merger with Coterra — according to Jefferies. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 8 May 2026

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
• 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