peter out
phrasal verb
petered out; petering out; peters out
informal
: to gradually become smaller, weaker, or less before stopping or ending
Their romantic relationship petered out after the summer.
Interest in the sport is beginning to peter out.
Examples of peter out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Well, despite a ginormous outlay on new signings last summer, Brighton’s season is threatening to peter out.
—
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Theoretically, then, the pressure is off, but Howe is adamant this season cannot be allowed to peter out.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
These underground dump fires cannot be easily extinguished and often take years to peter out.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
The potential new love interests for Nick and Noah are a waste of time, and the cluttered plot just peters out, barely even setting up the inevitable next installment.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peter out
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Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Theoretically, then, the pressure is off, but Howe is adamant this season cannot be allowed to peter out.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
These underground dump fires cannot be easily extinguished and often take years to peter out.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
The potential new love interests for Nick and Noah are a waste of time, and the cluttered plot just peters out, barely even setting up the inevitable next installment.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peter out
Cite this Entry
“Peter out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peter%20out. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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