fizzling
Losing its spark
Fizzling is the process of losing momentum or dying out weakly after an initially promising start.
A firework fizzles when it sputters instead of exploding.
Plans, romances, and campaigns fizzle when they gradually lose energy: The protest movement fizzled after a few weeks.
The word suggests disappointment—something that should have gone somewhere but didn't.
Disappointingly weak after buildup
- underwhelmingFailing to meet expectations
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- unfulfillingLacking emotional reward
- unsatisfyingFailing to gratify
deflating · lackluster · damp squib · flat · disheartening · dashed hopes · disillusionment · anticlimax
Sound of frying
- crackleSharp snapping sounds
- popFizzy drink, regionally
- hissSharp sibilant sound
- sputterEmit irregular popping sounds
bubbling · effervescence · snap · buzz · whiz · popping · crackling · whisper
Gradually decreasing in intensity
- ebbingGradually declining or receding
- dwindlingProgressively becoming smaller
- taperingProgressive decrease in width
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
fading · weakening · deteriorating · shrinking · contracting · receding · subsiding · withering
Gradually diminishing to nothing
- dying downDecreasing in force
- falling flatFailing to resonate
- flaming outFailing publicly and dramatically
- sputtering outEnding in fitful gasps
collapsing · flopping · tanking · bombing · stalling · faltering · misfiring · underperforming
anticlimactic
Disappointingly weak after buildup
- underwhelmingFailing to meet expectations
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- unfulfillingLacking emotional reward
unsatisfying · deflating · lackluster · damp squib · flat · disheartening · dashed hopes · disillusionment · anticlimax · crestfallen
sizzle
Sound of frying
sputter · bubbling · effervescence · snap · buzz · whiz · popping · crackling · whisper · rustle
waning
Gradually decreasing in intensity
- ebbingGradually declining or receding
- dwindlingProgressively becoming smaller
- taperingProgressive decrease in width
diminishing · fading · weakening · deteriorating · shrinking · contracting · receding · subsiding · withering · flagging
petering out
Gradually diminishing to nothing
- dying downDecreasing in force
- falling flatFailing to resonate
- flaming outFailing publicly and dramatically
sputtering out · collapsing · flopping · tanking · bombing · stalling · faltering · misfiring · underperforming · imploding
- decliningdeclining, waning, fading, diminishing, decreasing
- gradual declinefading, waning, dwindling, diminishing, ebbing
- sputtering soundsspluttering, crackling, popping, spattering, puttering
fizzlingexploding
Bursting outward violently
detonating · erupting · blowing up · bursting · booming
fizzlingsurging
Rising with sudden force
intensifying · escalating · building · picking up steam · accelerating
fizzlingthriving
Succeeding vigorously
flourishing · succeeding · booming · taking off · soaring
- fizzling outGradually losing momentum