backfire

verb back·fire \ ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of backfire

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

Far from being a knockout punch to tobacco, electronic cigarettes have backfired as a public health strategy.

— nicholas chadi, STAT, "Easing access to marijuana is not a way to solve the opioid epidemic," 12 Apr. 2018
Even gunshots and backfire, the howl of trains at night, the wind against your windows.

— doreen st. félix, The New Yorker, "The State," 14 Mar. 2018
The Salvadoran government’s strategy backfired after many young people were incarcerated and later released without any charges.

— estefani alarcon, Teen Vogue, "How MS-13 Pushes Families Out of Central America," 28 Feb. 2018
Those strategies backfired and ultimately ended up benefiting the oil industry.

— clifford krauss, The Seattle Times, "Oil resurgence gives the U.S. a new edge in energy and diplomacy," 28 Jan. 2018
The stunt backfired, as Abercrombie's stock tumbled 9 percent following the incident.

— patrick cooley, cleveland.com, "Before the Crock Pot on 'This is Us:' A history of product misplacement," 26 Jan. 2018
The move backfired on Friday however as the French Football Federation appeals commission doubled the punishment to six months.

— afp, chicagotribune.com, "Ligue 1 double referee ban after failed appealed," 23 Mar. 2018
The chances are actually stronger that the maneuver will backfire, helping Mueller refine not just any questioning of the president but the investigation as a whole.

— chris smith, The Hive, "“The Truth Could Be Really Bad for Trump”: The Nightmare Legal Scenario Facing Trump’s Lawyers," 21 Mar. 2018
Part of it is the way the tactics employed by Boras — who represents many of the straggler free agents and often holds them out as long as possible, usually to great effect — backfired when no robust market materialized for his clients.

— will leitch, Daily Intelligencer, "Baseball’s Very Tepid Offseason Is Finally Over," 21 Mar. 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

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

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
Archie's attempt to impress Veronica's father by taking up wrestling backfires in an unexpected way, Toni and Jughead challenge the historical accuracy of a beloved Riverdale tradition, and Chic continues to cause drama for the Coopers.

— amy mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "A War Is About to Break Out in Riverdale," 25 Jan. 2018
Firefighters light a backfire while trying to keep a wildfire from jumping Santa Ana Road near Ventura on Dec. 9.

— david r. baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "Southern California fires: Utility says its gear may be under investigation," 12 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of backfire

1801

BACKFIRE Defined for English Language Learners

backfire

verb

Definition of backfire for English Language Learners

of an engine or vehicle : to make a loud sound when fuel is not burned properly
: to have the opposite result of what was desired or expected

BACKFIRE Defined for Kids

backfire

verb back·fire \ ˈbak-ˌfīr \

Definition of backfire for Students

backfired; backfiring

1 : to have a result opposite to what was planned

The joke backfired.

2 : to make a loud engine noise caused by fuel igniting at the wrong time

backfire

noun

Definition of backfire for Students

1 : a loud engine noise caused by fuel igniting at the wrong time

2 : a fire that is set to stop the spread of a forest fire or a grass fire by burning off a strip of land ahead of it

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BACKFIRE Defined for English Language Learners

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