mis·fire
ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r 
misfired; misfiring; misfires
1
: to have the explosive or propulsive charge fail to ignite at the proper time
the engine misfired
2
: to fail to fire
the gun misfired
3
: to miss an intended effect or objective
the new ad campaign misfired
mis·fire
ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r
ˈmis-ˌfī(-ə)r
1
: a failure (as of a cartridge or firearm) to fire
2
: something that misfires
Examples of misfire in a Sentence
Verb
their scheme to rob the bank misfired disastrously and landed them all in jail
Recent Examples on the Web
The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
In short, Nix often grounds his feet into the turf when he's afforded a clean pocket, doesn't appear to generate much momentum, and misfires because of it.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
The live performances are exciting even if fleeting, and the strong commitment to stripping the myth of Springsteen away to see the soul underneath covers up the film's storytelling misfires.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfire
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Verb
Liverpool’s defence was so shaky that even the misfiring attack went unnoticed.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
In short, Nix often grounds his feet into the turf when he's afforded a clean pocket, doesn't appear to generate much momentum, and misfires because of it.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
Despite the misfires, her career hasn’t been a slog.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
The live performances are exciting even if fleeting, and the strong commitment to stripping the myth of Springsteen away to see the soul underneath covers up the film's storytelling misfires.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfire
Cite this Entry
“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misfire. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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