flaming out

verb

present participle of flame out
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful even at the reception, some were predicting that the marriage would flame out before the fancy china ever got used

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flaming out The team ended up flaming out in the first round of the Copa América, and panic ensued. — Leander Schaerlaeckens, New Yorker, 22 May 2026 Despite missing the playoffs with a 42-40 record and flaming out of the Play-In Tournament against the Golden State Warriors, the Clippers did not have their own first-round pick, part of the cost for the 2019 swap of 2018 lottery pick Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 2019 MVP finalist Paul George. — Law Murray, New York Times, 11 May 2026 With a growing number of rookie quarterbacks struggling and flaming out in recent years, the Raiders, who have only had one quarterback start 10 or more games in consecutive seasons in the last two decades (Derek Carr), likely want to play Mendoza’s development safe. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 Swinging a big trade can be the difference in a team winning a championship or flaming out early in the playoffs. — Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Jack Harper, back working in his hometown after flaming out elsewhere, living as the responsible adult with an adorable little niece and her depressed, alcoholic mother, Zoe (Marin Ireland). — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026 After the first two films, the series switched hands to seasoned parody veterans David Zucker and Pat Proft before flaming out with the fifth entry in 2013. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025 The left side of their line is a huge question mark between tackle and guard, where Kingsley Suamataia might settle after flaming out at tackle. — James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaming out
  1. collapsing
  2. failing
  3. striking out
  4. flopping
  5. folding
  6. missing
  7. washing out
  8. struggling
Verb
  • Summary Volkswagen's unique governance, long prioritizing workers and unions over shareholders, is now unsustainable amid collapsing profits, especially from China, and fierce competition from Chinese EVs.
    — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • After winning historic Latino support in 2024, Trump now faces collapsing approval as mass deportations, economic stagnation and inflammatory messaging like the bus graphic threaten GOP fortunes in the 2026 midterms.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapsing
Verb
  • In a statement given to the The Athletic on Wednesday, Hampshire Police confirmed that Sterling had been charged with dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Last Year The Cowboys experienced a bizarre, roller-coaster 2025 season, ultimately finishing 7-9-1 and failing to qualify for the postseason.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of failing
Verb
  • Yamamoto puts in a solid start, holding the Braves to four hits and striking out eight over 6⅓ innings.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Josh Lowe failed to get a bunt down, striking out when trying to bunt with two strikes.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of striking out
Verb
  • The video shows the peacock, referred to by some in the neighborhood as Sugar, seemingly flopping around then collapsing.
    — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The papers were flopping off the edge of his desk, trembling in the breeze from the window; her hand reached out to stop them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of flopping
Verb
  • Many of those waiting for the court to open in the early morning hours sat in folding chairs beneath flags flying at half-staff in honor of the late country music legend Dolly Parton.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a Santa Claus in a folding chair with a cardboard plank on two milk crates hustling tourists via three card monte.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of folding
Verb
  • Wilson was back on the practice field Sunday, despite missing much of training camp with an injury, and will likely open the season as Seattle’s third-string running back.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The death toll in last week’s devastating flooding in Nepal has risen to 903 people, officials said Monday, as the number of those listed as missing nearly doubled to 4,247.
    — Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of missing
Verb
  • Physicists used Wilson’s calculations to justify the previously murky mechanics of quantum field theory, which treats each particle as a wave while washing out the less significant effects of the smallest vibrations.
    — Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Rain postponed the start of play, washing out the entire morning session and much of the second.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of washing out
Verb
  • The papers served to underline how central banks are struggling to keep up with challenges introduced by technology.
    — Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The longer the current situation continues, the greater the strain on an economy already struggling with shortages, inflation and restrictions on trade.
    — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of struggling

Browse Nearby Words

flamingly
flaming out
flammable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flaming out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaming%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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