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
ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
In one sequence, Tatum fired a quick-trigger pass to Baylor Scheierman in the corner, and when Scheierman misfired, Brown grabbed the rebound and fed Payton Pritchard (19 points, seven assists) for an open three.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The general manager was a very unpopular man in Denver following a couple of massive misfires — the disastrous hiring of Nathaniel Hackett and the trade and massive extension for Wilson.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misfire
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Verb
The 6-foot-4 senior who accompanied McCollum from Drake to Iowa misfired on four of his five 3-point attempts and was 2 for 8 from the field for eight points.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
In one sequence, Tatum fired a quick-trigger pass to Baylor Scheierman in the corner, and when Scheierman misfired, Brown grabbed the rebound and fed Payton Pritchard (19 points, seven assists) for an open three.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
There were misfires, of course, like deals for Maker Studios and Club Penguin, not to mention a string of botched succession attempts, including his decision to settle on Bob Chapek after minimal vetting in 2020.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The general manager was a very unpopular man in Denver following a couple of massive misfires — the disastrous hiring of Nathaniel Hackett and the trade and massive extension for Wilson.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misfire
Cite this Entry
“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misfire. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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