fizzle

[ fiz-uhl ]

/ ˈfɪz əl /

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verb (used without object), fiz·zled, fiz·zling.

to make a hissing or sputtering sound, especially one that dies out weakly.

Informal. to fail ignominiously after a good start (often followed by out): The reform movement fizzled out because of poor leadership.

noun

a fizzling, hissing, or sputtering.

Informal. a failure; fiasco.

OTHER WORDS FOR fizzle

2 miscarry, collapse, founder.

See synonyms for fizzle on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of fizzle

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

Words nearby fizzle

fix-up, Fizeau, fizgig, fizz, fizzer, fizzle, fizzle out, fizzwater, fizzy, fj, fjeld

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use fizzle in a sentence

Hence, despite the hour beginning with a literal bang, both Rue and Lexi’s character arcs go out with a fizzle.
‘Euphoria’: Chaotic Season Finale Ends in a Bloody Shootout—and the Death of a Beloved Character|Kyndall Cunningham|February 28, 2022|The Daily Beast
Robin had so much energy, the electricity from your electrical device would fizzle.
How Mork Melted the Fonz: Henry Winkler Recalls Robin Williams’s Storming ‘Happy Days’ Debut|Tim Teeman|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Could Occupy Wall Street yet prove a harbinger rather than a fizzle?
The Dems’ Fork in the Road|David Frum|November 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He predicted that without more mobilization and pressure from outside, reform could “fizzle.”
How About that Filibuster Reform?|Justin Green|December 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST

But the thing about phenoms is they can come in hot and then fizzle into a lower voltage of play.
Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks: The Science Behind Winning|Clark Merrefield|February 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If U.S.-Pakistan cooperation were in fact to fizzle, clearly such operations would be compromised.
Pakistan-U.S. Relations Frayed But Not Collapsing|Ron Moreau|April 14, 2011|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.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 25 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
But, as his rhyme ended with such an ignominious fizzle, he hurried away with a snort of disgust.
A Fortune Hunter; Or, The Old Stone Corral|John Dunloe Carteret
“And I know you labor under a mistake,” said Fizzle, elevating his chin, and folding his arms pugnaciously over his striped vest.
Ruth Hall|Fanny Fern
"I am sorry that it has been such a fizzle," she turned to him with a sort of shy, girlish friendliness and impulsiveness.
The Beauty|Mrs. Wilson Woodrow
A match lit up the darkness; he caught the well-known purr and fizzle of grains of incense.
Kim|Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for fizzle

fizzle

/ (ˈfɪzəl) /

verb (intr)

to make a hissing or bubbling sound

(often foll by out) informal to fail or die out, esp after a promising start

noun

a hissing or bubbling sound; fizz

informal an outright failure; fiasco

Word Origin for fizzle

C16: probably from obsolete fist to break wind

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

fizzle

OTHER WORDS FOR fizzle

Origin of fizzle

Words nearby fizzle

Words related to fizzle

How to use fizzle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fizzle

Word Origin for fizzle