flameout

1 of 2

noun

flame·​out ˈflām-ˌau̇t 

1

: the unintentional cessation of operation of a jet airplane engine

2

: a sudden downfall, failure, or cessation

a flameout that cost the network millions

3

: a person whose successful career ends abruptly

He was a spectacular failure …, a flameout.

—Douglas S. Looney and Carlton Stowers

flame out

2 of 2

verb

flamed out; flaming out; flames out

intransitive verb

: to fail spectacularly and especially prematurely

a promising career that flamed out

Synonyms of flameout

Noun

• demise
• downfall
• down
• setback

Verb

• fail
• collapse
• flop
• strike out
• fold
• miss
• fall short
• struggle
• bomb
• wash out
• tank
• lay an egg
• come to grief

Examples of flameout in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Red Sox have experienced one flameout after another in recent years, from Brayan Bello to Triston Casas, Kristian Campbell to Marcelo Mayer. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Frenchie's flameout was epic and hilarious, Derek X was astute and entertaining, and Claire easily could have been a serious contender on another season. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026

Verb

After Carlson officially flamed out, Brayden Narveson failed miserably. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Cam Smith and Noah Igbinoghene should have both been reliable starting cornerbacks for the Miami Dolphins if their careers hadn’t flamed out in Miami. — Omar Kelly august 3, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for flameout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout