backfire

verb back·fire \ ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Examples: backfire in a Sentence

Definition of backfire

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

See backfire defined for English-language learners

Examples of backfire in a Sentence

my plan to throw her a surprise party backfired when she ended up sobbing that everyone had forgotten her birthday

Recent Examples of backfire from the Web

New York billionaire George Soros’ multimillion-dollar effort to reshape California's criminal justice system by propping up progressive district attorney candidates backfired Tuesday, with most of his candidates suffering major defeats.

— lukas mikelionis, Fox News, "Soros push to elect progressive DAs in California fails to attract voters," 7 June 2018
That plan also backfired and caused Guerrero to apologize, just weeks into his new job, for not seeking the community's input before presenting that plan.

— bethany barnes, OregonLive.com, "Once again, Portland Public School botches community outreach over school relocation," 30 May 2018
Andy Green’s first curious call to the bullpen backfired.

— jeff sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Franmil Reyes delivers decisive blow in Padres' win," 29 May 2018
The gag order backfired, turning English Defense League founder Tommy Robinson into a sort of free-speech martyr to conservatives such as Donald Trump Jr. and Roseanne Barr before the gag order was lifted Tuesday.

— avi selk, Washington Post, "Conservative outrage after anti-Muslim campaigner Tommy Robinson secretly jailed in Britain," 29 May 2018
The move backfired, and Moser finished second in a seven-person race.

— wade payson-denney, CNN, "What to know about Tuesday night's elections," 22 May 2018
That arrangement briefly backfired when Saban was caught on a hot mic remarking that third-string quarterback Mac Jones was throwing the ball downfield more effectively than Hurts was.

— SI.com, "Behind the Scenes with Alabama Football," 4 May 2018
Both moves backfired, and Orlando went 29-53 under Vogel during his first season.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Jeff Weltman will have final say on Magic's coaching hire," 27 Apr. 2018
In July 1998, Victoria Keenan’s Datsun Honey Bee backfired on Rimrock Road outside the group’s 20-acre compound north of Hayden Lake.

— sven berg, idahostatesman, "Hate watchdog SPLC flags small Northwest churches — and rakes in the cash | Idaho Statesman," 22 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'backfire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of backfire

1852

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

backfire Synonyms

backfire

noun

Definition of 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

See backfire defined for kids

Recent Examples of backfire from the Web

But Smith made the decision backfire when his single made it 2-0.

— clark spencer, miamiherald, "It was 1993 all over again as teal-clad Marlins take care of Padres," 8 June 2018
So is talk of a Trump summit with Putin — unless the president bluntly confronts the Russian leader about his cyber espionage in Europe and the U.S. >> READ MORE: Will Trump’s deal-making backfire and embroil U.S. in new wars?

— trudy rubin, Philly.com, "Trump pummels G-7 democratic allies but loves autocrats | Trudy Rubin," 8 June 2018
If its wager backfires, everyday low prices will be where Walmart least wants it: in the stock price.

— charley grant, WSJ, "Healthy Skepticism About Walmart and Humana," 30 Mar. 2018
Praise for White's performance in Pyeongchang caught backfire on social media at a time when #MeToo and other movements are calling for more accountability about harassment and abuse.

— thr staff, The Hollywood Reporter, "Olympic Champion Shaun White Refers to Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit as "Gossip"," 14 Feb. 2018
Praise for White's performance in Pyeongchang caught backfire on social media at a time when #MeToo and other movements are calling for more accountability about harassment and abuse.

— jake seiner, Houston Chronicle, "Shaun White apologizes for comments on sexual misconduct lawsuit," 14 Feb. 2018
Praise for White's performance in Pyeongchang caught backfire on social media at a time when #MeToo and other movements are calling for more accountability about harassment and abuse.

— chicagotribune.com, "Shaun White refers to sexual misconduct lawsuit as 'gossip'," 14 Feb. 2018
As so often before in other cases, Putin’s aggressive tactical coups produce strategic backfires that hurt and isolate Russia.

— colin dueck, National Review, "How to Defend the West," 7 Feb. 2018
At Buena Vista Winery, charring from a preventive backfire stopped less than 50 feet from the old stone building that holds the two-story tasting room.

— christopher reynolds, ajc, "Napa Valley reboot: After the fires," 1 Feb. 2018