backfire

1 of 2

verb

back·​fire ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r 

backfired; backfiring; backfires

intransitive verb

1

: to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect

their plans backfired

2

: to make or undergo a backfire

backfire

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms

Verb

• boomerang

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

Verb

But what Iran thought was a winning strategy to consolidate long-term leadership in the Middle East has backfired. —Lina Khatib, Time, 19 June 2025

But some legal experts have said testifying would be a risky move that could backfire on the defense. —Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Noun

While the intent is usually to protect the systems, this often backfires. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Continue reading … -- POLITICS 'CAN’T FIX STUPID' – DNC effort to troll Trump with taco truck backfires as conservatives erupt. —FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for backfire

• admire
• afire
• aspire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire
• perspire
• rehire

Kids 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 verb

1

: to make a backfire

2

: to have a result opposite to what was planned

their plans backfired