fizzle

[fiz-uhl]

verb (used without object)

fizzled, fizzling 

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 byout ).

   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

The final act avoids sports-movie clichés, which is another way of saying that things simply fizzle out unsatisfyingly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Refinancing activity jumped 80% over the period, data from the Mortgage Bankers Association show, but fizzled once mortgage rates rose again.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yeah, Mark fizzled in Yokohama, but boy was she awful.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her romance fizzles, but a passion is born: She’ll now explore cemeteries around the globe, musing on the tales they tell, the cultures they mirror.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The project was met with backlash and fizzled out.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abort 
• misfire 
• peter out 
• wane