flameout

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

Synonyms of flameout

• demise
• downfall
• down
• setback

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 on the Web

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

After a playoff flameout, Minnesota could prove aggressive. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026

Usually when an actor in a major role skedaddles a series in mid-stream — because of firings, feuds, contract fights, health crises or creative flameouts — the show finds a way to go on. —Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2026

Set in the late 1980s, the film follows 13-year-old Felice (an exceptional Tiziano Menichelli), a budding tennis star whose overbearing father hooks him up with Raul Getti (Favino), a flameout former pro with a new lithium prescription and a serious ladies-man streak. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flameout

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