back·fire
ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r 
backfired; backfiring; backfires
1
: to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect
their plans backfired
2
: to make or undergo a 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
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
Scott Horsley, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
The system can also be triggered by sounds like fireworks, car backfires or construction noise and has been criticized for focusing police attention on low-income communities with non-white residents.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
Larry Wilson, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
To call this a TABOR backfire would be an understatement for the ages.
—Sean Camacho, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backfire
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
That could backfire on the president, delaying the confirmation of Kevin Warsh to serve as the next Fed chair, and leaving Powell in the position longer.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
The system can also be triggered by sounds like fireworks, car backfires or construction noise and has been criticized for focusing police attention on low-income communities with non-white residents.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
No, the backfire here would come from the little fact that this campaign will be promoting California just as the governor of our fair state begins in earnest his own campaign to become president of the United States.
—Larry Wilson, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
To call this a TABOR backfire would be an understatement for the ages.
—Sean Camacho, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backfire. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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 verb1
: to make a backfire
2
: to have a result opposite to what was planned
their plans backfired
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
