backfire

noun back·fire \ -ˌfī(-ə)r \

Definition of backfire

1 :a fire started to check an advancing fire by clearing an area

2 :a loud noise caused by the improperly timed explosion of fuel mixture in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine

See backfire defined for kids

Recent Examples of backfire from the Web

The possibility exists, always, that tossing a rookie quarterback into the fire backfires in spectacular fashion—badly enough to stalemate said QB’s development, in some cases.

— chris burke, SI.com, "Will DeShone Kizer Step Up and Take the Starting QB Job? Browns About to Find Out," 24 Aug. 2017
Everything was routine until a sudden backfire startled captain Al Bergum and co-pilot Tom Truax.

— eric tegler, Popular Mechanics, "Eight decades after its first flight, the DC-3 remains an aviation legend.," 8 Aug. 2017
But swinging at the first pitch backfires if the hitter cannot put it in play at a decent rate.

— matt gelb, Philly.com, "Phillies' Nick Williams has next move in chess match with pitchers," 4 Aug. 2017
But the withholding of details necessary to engineer the initial lull backfires in the second half, when the lack of specificity leaves the characters ill defined.

— ben kenigsberg, New York Times, "Review: In ‘This Time Tomorrow,’ a Family Will Be Upended," 3 Aug. 2017
Their property was right on the char line where the state had laid a backfire to stop the wildfire in its tracks.

— paige st. john, latimes.com, "'Hell or high water': Oroville residents struggle with another disaster," 10 July 2017
Crews lit backfires on three sides of the fire overnight to limit its spread, said fire Capt.

— joseph serna, latimes.com, "Southern California is blanketed by the smell of wildfires; here's the latest.," 29 June 2017
If for instance, his moves on health care and climate change backfire and come to be seen as historic mistakes, Obama's reputation is likely to prosper by contrast with his successor, whatever Trump says now.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Trump's new foil: a silent Barack Obama," 27 June 2017
Socialite novelist invites eccentric medium to home for seance to gather material for next book, but scheme backfires.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week: June 26-July 2," 26 June 2017

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

1801

backfire

verb

Definition of backfire

intransitive verb

1 :to make or undergo a backfire

2 :to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect

their plans backfired

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

Lululemon Athletica kicked off the week with a marketing move meant to engage its social media followers in a conversation about positive lifestyles, but in just a few short days, its scheme has backfired in an epic way.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Lululemon's Happiness Tweet Is a Marketing Nightmare," 21 July 2017
For Trump in particular, complete transparency could backfire by amplifying suspicion and further escalating calls for his impeachment on allegations of obstructing justice, accepting gifts from foreign powers, or treason.

— kent grayson, Fortune, "Why We Should Stop Expecting Trump to Be Honest," 20 July 2017
Now the best hope for the Iran deal is that Trump’s efforts to provoke Iran into breaking up with us will backfire in some George Costanza-esque twist.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Recertifies Iran Nuclear Deal After Arguing With His Own Advisers: Report," 18 July 2017
Not getting your roots done is a foolproof way into the look, but other stylists, like Sharon Dorram, a celebrity colorist at Sally Hershberger's New York salon, warn that a harsh stripe of roots can backfire.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "This Is the Secret to Making Dark Roots Look Intentional," 17 July 2017
Let this be a lesson for all: doing it for the 'gram can backfire.

— melissa minton, CNT, "Woman Trying to Take Selfie Damages $200,000 Worth of Art," 14 July 2017
The Palestinian leader’s efforts to secure a place in history appear likely to backfire in disastrous fashion.

— elliot kaufman, National Review, "Mahmoud Abbas’s Legacy Blows Up in His Face," 11 July 2017
But when Trump went ahead and ousted his FBI director, the move backfired, drawing angry condemnation from Democrats and almost everyone else.

— joshua green, Daily Intelligencer, "Steve Bannon Is Out of Trump’s Doghouse and Leading the Charge Against Mueller," 9 July 2017
The GOP tried to gather Obamacare horror stories, but their plan royally backfired.

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "Hillary Clinton to the GOP: 'Feel Free to Run With' My Health Care Plan," 7 July 2017

First Known Use of backfire

1852

backfire Synonyms

Synonyms

boomerang

Related Words

collapse, flop, flunk, fold, wash out; flounder, struggle; decline, slip, slump, wane

Near Antonyms

succeed; flourish, prosper, thrive

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

Learn More about backfire

See words that rhyme with backfire Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for backfire Spanish Central: Translation of backfire Nglish: Translation of backfire for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up backfire? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

backfire

Definition of backfire

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Recent Examples of backfire from the Web

First Known Use of backfire

backfire

Definition of backfire

Examples of backfire in a Sentence

Recent Examples of backfire from the Web

First Known Use of backfire

backfire Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

BACKFIRE Defined for English Language Learners

backfire

Definition of backfire for English Language Learners

BACKFIRE Defined for Kids

backfire

Definition of backfire for Students

backfire

Definition of backfire for Students

Learn More about backfire

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066