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
Douglas S. Looney and Carlton Stowers
flamed out; flaming out; flames out
: to fail spectacularly and especially prematurely
a promising career that flamed out
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
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
Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
The Knicks turned to experienced Mike Brown, which came off like Plan B at best, but while Brown has done a masterful job in coaching to his personnel’s strengths and leading the franchise over the playoff hump that tripped up Thibs, the Mavericks flamed out and fired Kidd last week.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flameout
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Noun
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
Verb
Wings that shot flames out of them.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
The Knicks turned to experienced Mike Brown, which came off like Plan B at best, but while Brown has done a masterful job in coaching to his personnel’s strengths and leading the franchise over the playoff hump that tripped up Thibs, the Mavericks flamed out and fired Kidd last week.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flameout
Cite this Entry
“Flameout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flameout. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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