flameout 1 of 2

noun

ˈflām-ˌau̇t How to pronounce flameout (audio)
Definition of flameoutnext
as in demise
a loss of status before her sudden, self-inflicted flameout, she was one of the state's brightest political stars

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flame out

2 of 2

verb

as in to fail
to be unsuccessful even at the reception, some were predicting that the marriage would flame out before the fancy china ever got used

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flameout
Noun
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
Verb
At least one of these new managers is going to flame out spectacularly. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 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 See All Example Sentences for flameout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flameout
  1. demise
  2. fail
  3. downfall
  4. collapse
  5. down
  6. flop
  7. setback
  8. strike out
Noun
  • The Straw Hat Riots lasted eight days and resulted in arrests, injuries, hospitalizations, and the demise of many, many hats.
    — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 4, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Gina Castillo, operations supervisor for the convention center, has mixed feelings about the arena’s demise.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of demise
Verb
  • Like at Brentford’s Gtech Stadium, Spurs failed to win with the first contact from a deep corner, allowing the ball to be headed across their penalty area to an unmarked Yoane Wissa, who acrobatically converted past Antonin Kinsky.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • For example, an enterprise may deploy an AI customer-service agent that achieves high technical accuracy, yet still fail because customers must repeat information, escalation paths are unclear and employees frequently override recommendations.
    — Ashwin Gaidhani, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of fail
Noun
  • Holmes’s downfall has, after all, been chronicled in multiple storytelling forms, including the podcast The Dropout and the popular Hulu series of the same name starring Amanda Seyfried.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Rodriguez doesn’t seem too concerned about the potential of any downfalls in communicating calls on the field.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of downfall
Verb
  • That pair, combined with the wider structure and personnel around them, ensure Leeds do not collapse when home sides like Brighton, predictably, lay it on thick.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers believe volcanic activity triggered an underwater landslide and caused a large chunk of Anak Krakatau’s southwest slope to collapse and displace a large volume of water.
    — Tatan Syuflana, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of collapse
Noun
  • Mestemaker, one of the top QBs in the portal last winter, threw two picks, and Oklahoma State went 2 of 6 on fourth downs.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • First, Syc barreled into a gap to stop Warren junior running back Amari Conley on a fourth-down carry in the second quarter.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of down
Verb
  • In this year’s mayoral primary, Raman raised less money than Bass and Pratt and flopped during their one debate against each other.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Of course, by their very definition, cult films almost always flop upon release then slowly build a devoted following whose passion seems to grow in inverse proportion to any original rejection by mainstream audiences.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of flop
Noun
  • Alpha has achieved several successful launches, but setbacks and failures have kept Firefly from establishing a routine launch cadence.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The power of the PMU was demonstrated in a recent setback for the Iraqi government.
    — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of setback
Verb
  • The 36-year-old cruised through seven scoreless innings, scattering three hits and three walks while striking out seven batters.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Sears, a lefty, transferred to UConn from Rhode Island College and came on strong late in his one season with MacDonald, 2023, striking out 74 in 62 innings.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of strike out

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Cite this Entry

“Flameout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flameout. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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