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
Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
And so far, the top team's choice has backfired, including last year, when Montreal opted to play third-place Ottawa and lost the series in four games.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for backfire
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Verb
His aggressive redistricting proposal faces pushback from Republican lawmakers and legal challenges, with critics warning the gerrymandered map could backfire and boost Democrats instead.
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
And so far, the top team's choice has backfired, including last year, when Montreal opted to play third-place Ottawa and lost the series in four games.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
Back on the boy-toy front, Deborah’s PR stunt backfires both personally and professionally.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backfire. Accessed 1 May. 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
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