verb
fizzle
FIH-zuhl
verb
1
To gradually fail or fade away after a promising start.
"The protest movement fizzled out within a few weeks."
"His comeback attempt fizzled after just two games."
2
To make a soft hissing or sputtering sound.
"The wet firework fizzled instead of exploding."
noun
1
A failure or disappointing outcome, especially after high expectations.
"The much-hyped launch turned out to be a total fizzle."
How to Use Fizzle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lose momentum and fail, usually after starting with promise — "fizzle out."
Common pairings
fizzle out
a total fizzle
Word Forms
fizzled past tense, fizzles plural, fizzles singular
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Etymology
From an older English word meaning "to break wind quietly" — the current sense of "petering out" developed later from the idea of a weak, fading hiss.