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
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
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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After collapsing on their home floor in the second half of Game 5, the Celtics squandered another chance to close out the underdog Sixers on Thursday, losing 106-93 in Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena to even the series at 3-3.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
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In April, two studies noted the critical current is in danger of weakening or even collapsing due to climate change, which could impact the climate and weather for hundreds of millions of people.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trainer Carl Nafzger famously described Unbridled’s stretch run to 92-year-old owner Frances Genter, whose eyesight was failing.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
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Clearly, humans were responsible for much worse than failing to rescue the creature.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Pittsburgh opener Mason Montgomery and Justin Lawrence each pitched an inning and Wilber Dotel worked the next four, striking out three.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Strider was excellent in his second rehab outing, striking out eight Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp hitters over 4-1/3 innings.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When folding goes wrong, the protein often fails.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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This roundup includes a few simple additions to familiar recipes, such as tossing asparagus into a stir-fry, and a few fancier options, like folding morel mushrooms into a silky linguine.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Red Sox finished third in the AL East the next season, missing the playoffs for the first time in five years.—
Jimmy Golen,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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While the Giants addressed wide receiver, a big missing piece remains in boosting the defensive tackle spot.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Andrew Tate is not washing out.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
11 Mar. 2026
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Tiny water droplets can scatter light, washing out the vivid reds and oranges.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the city morphs into a luxury tourist destination, struggling small businesses are pushing to retain the character that drew many tourists in the first place.—
Laura Millan,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
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If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaming out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaming%20out. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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