fizzle

[ fiz-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, fiz·zled, fiz·zling.

1. to make a hissing or sputtering sound, especially one that dies out weakly.
2. Informal. to fail ignominiously after a good start (often followed by out ):

   The reform movement fizzled out because of poor leadership.

   Synonyms: founder, collapse, miscarry

noun

1. a fizzling, hissing, or sputtering.
2. Informal. a failure; fiasco.

fizzle

/ ˈfɪzəl /

verb

1. to make a hissing or bubbling sound
2. informal.
   often foll by out to fail or die out, esp after a promising start

noun

1. a hissing or bubbling sound; fizz
2. informal.
   an outright failure; fiasco

Word History and Origins

Origin of fizzle¹

1525–35; earlier fysel to break wind, frequentative of *fise < Old Norse fīsa to break wind; akin to feist

Word History and Origins

Origin of fizzle¹

C16: probably from obsolete fist to break wind

Example Sentences

Hence, despite the hour beginning with a literal bang, both Rue and Lexi’s character arcs go out with a fizzle.

From The Daily Beast

Robin had so much energy, the electricity from your electrical device would fizzle.

From The Daily Beast

Could Occupy Wall Street yet prove a harbinger rather than a fizzle?

From The Daily Beast

He predicted that without more mobilization and pressure from outside, reform could “fizzle.”

From The Daily Beast

But the thing about phenoms is they can come in hot and then fizzle into a lower voltage of play.

From The Daily Beast

If U.S.-Pakistan cooperation were in fact to fizzle, clearly such operations would be compromised.

From The Daily Beast

He was a fizzle and a stick, he knew it, he knew nothing else, and there is an undercurrent of bitterness in him.

From Project Gutenberg

But, as his rhyme ended with such an ignominious fizzle, he hurried away with a snort of disgust.

From Project Gutenberg

“And I know you labor under a mistake,” said Fizzle, elevating his chin, and folding his arms pugnaciously over his striped vest.

From Project Gutenberg

"I am sorry that it has been such a fizzle," she turned to him with a sort of shy, girlish friendliness and impulsiveness.

From Project Gutenberg

A match lit up the darkness; he caught the well-known purr and fizzle of grains of incense.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abort
• misfire
• peter out
• wane