back·fire
ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r 
backfired; backfiring; backfires
1
: to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect
their plans backfired
2
: to make or undergo a backfire
1
: a loud noise caused by the improperly timed explosion of fuel mixture in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine
2
: a fire started to check an advancing fire by clearing an area
Examples of backfire in a Sentence
Verb
my plan to throw her a surprise party backfired when she ended up thinking that everyone had forgotten her birthday
Recent Examples on the Web
David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Running for judge two years ago, Peffer told the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board of the need to rebuild trust and confidence in the courts, but her efforts backfired spectacularly.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Sean Camacho, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
An immigration crackdown backfires on U.S. labor Mark Regets, senior fellow at National Foundation for American Policy, sees a different reason for a slowing workforce.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backfire
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Verb
In every state with a March 3 primary, Democrats hoped that the GOP’s total commitment to Trump would eventually backfire — not now, but by November.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Running for judge two years ago, Peffer told the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board of the need to rebuild trust and confidence in the courts, but her efforts backfired spectacularly.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
To call this a TABOR backfire would be an understatement for the ages.
—Sean Camacho, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
An immigration crackdown backfires on U.S. labor Mark Regets, senior fellow at National Foundation for American Policy, sees a different reason for a slowing workforce.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backfire. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backfire
1 of 2 noun
back·fire
-ˌfī(ə)r
1
: a fire that is set to check the spread of a forest fire or a grass fire by burning off a strip of land ahead of it
2
: a loud noise caused by the improperly timed explosion of fuel in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine
backfire
2 of 2 verb1
: to make a backfire
2
: to have a result opposite to what was planned
their plans backfired
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