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
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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
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
Verb
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The camaraderie was evident on the ground here in La Guaira, the coastal city where quake damage was most severe, collapsing dozens of buildings.
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Unlike straw or lower-grade wool blends, beaver felt can be reworked without collapsing its structure, which is what allows hats to be reshaped by hand rather than stamped out of a mold.
Verb
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The Athletics beat the Dodgers 7-1 on Wednesday night, giving the West Sacramento team its only win of the series with the Dodgers, winners of the past two World Series, failing to secure a three-game sweep.
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Such a bond occurs when a judge grants a compassionate release for inmates who are in failing health and no longer a threat to the community.
Verb
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White Sox starter Davis Martin gave up two runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings without striking out a batter.
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Matthews responded by retiring Tommy Edman for the first time in three at-bats and striking out backup catcher Chuckie Robinson.
Verb
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Brown has talked trash about Sixers center Joel Embiid and has accused him of flopping.
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Video shows Neil flopping his blubbery body around on the street, destroying fences and cuddling with traffic cones.
Verb
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Before noon, families had folding chairs lined up along Highways 244 and 16A, in Keystone and Hill City, and not for any parade – just to look up nearly 12 hours from now.
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It can also be lifted using a folding slow-rebound grip that doesn't jarringly snap back down when released.
Verb
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Canada, the first World Cup host to play a game outside its borders, could get a boost if Alphonso Davies, its best player, can play after missing the team’s first three games.
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Elsewhere, Iran’s soccer team has been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, missing the 32-team knockout stages by one spot in heartbreaking fashion.
Verb
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Then came this spring’s historic and devastating floods across northern Michigan — in some areas, for the first time anyone can remember — swamping homes, pushing dams to the brink of failure and washing out roadways.
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Then came this spring's historic and devastating floods across northern Michigan — in some areas, for the first time anyone can remember — swamping homes, pushing dams to the brink of failure and washing out roadways.
Verb
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Trump taking the country to war with Iran, in part at the urging of his pal Bibi — without any sensible plan, debate, sanction from Congress or consideration as to how this might hurt Americans already struggling to make ends meet.
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The rules were altered in 2004 at the urging of Algeria, which was struggling to field a competitive national team with wholly domestic players and saw dozens of better prospects from the diaspora living in France.
Cite this Entry
“Flaming out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaming%20out. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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