flames out

verb

present tense third-person singular of flame out
as in fails
to be unsuccessful even at the reception, some were predicting that the marriage would flame out before the fancy china ever got used

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 flames out Nothing majorly dramatic happens, no one flames out in the kitchen, no dish is an absolute failure. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 June 2026 Wings that shot flames out of them. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026 And maybe Kiffin wins huge at LSU while Sumrall flames out in three years. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026 Beijing is working to engineer China’s technological and industrial dominance, backing Russia in a destabilizing war in Europe, and generally setting the stage to achieve global supremacy when the United States flames out. — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 Firefighters instead used heavy equipment to cover it with dirt to put the flames out. — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 Our dream of going back to the moon and onto Mars and more distant worlds—not least to ensure our species’ survival before the sun flames out and engulfs most of the solar system—can be seen as just one more step in evolution’s long march. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flames out
  1. fails
  2. collapses
  3. flops
  4. strikes out
  5. folds
  6. bombs
  7. misses
  8. struggles
Verb
  • Witchel, who built physics simulations to predict athletic injury before pivoting to cognitive care, argues that statistical AI fails at the individual level.
    — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • In turn, there is a perception that the endeavor is one big cash grab, one that is not worth the risk of embarrassment if the film fails critically and/or commercially.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 July 2026
Definition of fails
Verb
  • The balls are coated in panko breadcrumbs, then fried until the golden shell just holds together, and collapses with the first bite.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • Bishan Singh refuses to cross the border, lets out a cry, and collapses on the strip of land belonging to neither country.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
Definition of collapses
Verb
  • This cordless lamp comes in four warm neutrals, and all feature a ceramic shade that flops over its base like pastry dough.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 15 July 2026
  • But when weighed down by the moisture, the grass flops over and doesn't present itself as well to the cutting blade.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 June 2026
Definition of flops
Verb
  • Why the quest will fall short And finally Shohei Ohtani hits three homers and strikes out 10 in Game 4 of the 2025 NLCS.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Perfect Tom strikes out once again, not on the look but on the flavors.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of strikes out
Verb
  • The film folds a police procedural into a much larger political canvas, tracking the British colonial government, the Hong Kong police, a powerful business dynasty and the criminal underworld as the territory changes hands.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 July 2026
  • The Adapter folds just a little larger than Bic lighter size and expands by way of a single joint to deliver serious DIY leverage and torque.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Definition of folds
Verb
  • The campus is eerily silent, even as Israel attacks Lebanon and the United States bombs Iran.
    — Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
  • The United States bombs Iran's nuclear facilities days later.
    — Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Definition of bombs
Verb
  • The wrong provider skips the workup, misses underlying causes and writes prescriptions without proper follow-up bloodwork.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026
  • If Pearsall misses time, bringing back Samuel would follow similar logic.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of misses
Verb
  • Missile salvos and militia attacks have choked key shipping lanes, damaged Saudi oil facilities and driven up global prices even as fragile diplomacy struggles to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and avert escalation.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • The film follows a young man who struggles to balance his mental problems, medication, and drugs with his musical ambitions.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Definition of struggles

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flames out
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Cite this Entry

“Flames out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flames%20out. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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