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

With the vast machinery of the Justice Department at his disposal, Gaetz could create a living hell for everyone against whom Trump holds a grudge, subjecting them to arrest and pretrial detention, even if the bogus charges later fizzle out in the court.

From Slate

Near the end of the campaign event in Onslow County, the energy of the crowd began to fizzle as the sun dipped beyond the trees.

From BBC

After a certain amount of growth, smaller dating app companies are likely to fizzle out or be sold to one of the major players, Helfstein said.

From Los Angeles Times

They actually impeached Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, only to have the effort fizzle in the Senate.

From Slate

As the jury’s verdict now approaches, for those pundits and pollsters once anticipating that a national moment might be unfolding in lower Manhattan’s criminal courtroom number 1530, there’s now instead a feeling that the outcome – whichever way it goes – may be less of a fulmination and more of a fizzle.

From BBC

Related Words

• abort
• misfire
• peter out
• wane