flameout

noun flame·out \ ˈflām-ˌau̇t \

Definition of flameout

1 :the unintentional cessation of operation of a jet airplane engine

2 :a sudden downfall, failure, or cessation

3 :a person whose successful career ends abruptly

See flameout defined for English-language learners

Examples of flameout in a Sentence

Fans were disappointed by the team's flameout in the play-offs.
before her sudden, self-inflicted flameout, she was one of the state's brightest political stars

Recent Examples of flameout from the Web

Through Facebook, investigators memorize faces and gang tattoos, and follow the flare-ups and flameouts of relationships.

— author: jan hoffman, Alaska Dispatch News, "Hunting a killer in Oklahoma: Sex, drugs and the return of syphilis," 25 Aug. 2017
A future trivia question and historical footnote, the spectacular ten-day flameout of Anthony Scaramucci qualifies as the most entertaining episode yet of the ongoing reality show that is the Trump presidency.

— charles krauthammer, National Review, "Once Again, the Guardrails Hold," 3 Aug. 2017
Every single lead executive’s tenure has ended in a spectacular flameout of some kind.

— jared dubin, GQ, "Running the Knicks Is Still One of the Best NBA Jobs Available," 3 July 2017
Boddie’s other son, NFL flameout Marcus Vick, has had several run-ins with the police and is currently facing an ecstasy-possession charge, which reportedly is still pending, the Daily News reports.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "Michael Vick’s Father Charged in Heroin Ring," 22 June 2017
Kalanick's spectacular flameout is one for the ages.

— polina marinova, Fortune, "What Travis Kalanick’s Resignation Means for Uber, Lyft, and You," 21 June 2017
The victory last spring served as validation for both Crosby and Malkin following a string of spring flameouts that left some wondering if the Penguins would be better off with just one franchise center instead of two.

— will graves, The Seattle Times, "“My record is Cups” – Malkin focused on titles, not stardom," 30 May 2017
Somewhere between the billionaires and the flameouts, there are less dramatic potentialities.

— vauhini vara, WIRED, "Can the American Heartland Remake Itself in the Image of Silicon Valley? One Startup Finds Out," 23 May 2017
McNown's flameout — from first-round pick to curbside trash — came much quicker.

— dan wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "With snap judgments all around, waiting game on Bears QB Mitch Trubisky begins," 7 May 2017

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

First Known Use of flameout

1950

flameout Synonyms

Synonyms

decline, dégringolade, demise, descent, down, downfall, fall, comedown, Götterdämmerung

Antonyms

aggrandizement, ascent, exaltation, rise, up

Related Words

breakdown, burnout, collapse, crash, meltdown, ruin, undoing; defeat, disappointment, reversal, setback; bottom, nadir; abasement, disgrace, humiliation

Near Antonyms

advance, headway, progress; flower, heyday, prime

flame out

verb

Definition of flame out

intransitive verb

:to fail spectacularly and especially prematurely

Examples of flame out in a Sentence

even at the reception, some were predicting that the marriage would flame out before the fancy china ever got used

First Known Use of flame out

1951

flame out Synonyms

Synonyms

bomb, collapse, crater, fail, flop, flunk, fold, founder, miss, strike out, tank, wash out

Antonyms

click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed, work out

Related Words

flounder, struggle; decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane; crash, crumble, miscarry, misfire; go under; implode, self-destruct

Near Antonyms

cook, flourish, prosper, thrive; prevail, triumph, win

FLAMEOUT Defined for English Language Learners

flameout

noun

Definition of flameout for English Language Learners

: a sudden stopping of a jet engine
: a very sudden and complete failure

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flame out

Definition of flame out

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First Known Use of flame out

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FLAMEOUT Defined for English Language Learners

flameout

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