backfire

1 of 2

verb

back·​fire ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce backfire (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Enable Natural Collaboration In my experience, traditional approaches often backfire. Louis Carter, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 For years, the two genres were such polar opposites that the idea of fusing them seemed like a joke and often backfired. Justin Curto, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
Grant, sometimes such an approach backfires, with Hassan Whiteside over Wade as an example. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2024 In this scenario, any effort by the United States to exploit tensions between China and North Korea backfire. Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for backfire 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of backfire was in 1801

Dictionary Entries Near backfire

Cite this Entry

“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backfire. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

backfire

1 of 2 noun
back·​fire -ˌfī(ə)r How to pronounce backfire (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on backfire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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