misfire

verb mis·fire \ ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Examples: misfire in a Sentence

Definition of misfire

intransitive verb

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

See misfire defined for English-language learners

See misfire defined for kids

Examples of misfire in a Sentence

their scheme to rob the bank misfired disastrously and landed them all in jail

Recent Examples of misfire from the Web

Fetter, who finished with 300 yards passing and 75 rushing, then tossed a 14-yard TD pass to Kenny Hill with 58 seconds left, but the Saints opted to go for the win and misfired on a two-point conversion pass.

— jeff gardenour, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Faith Christian edges Trinity Prep in spring football," 25 May 2018
But despite a third-minute penalty from Florian Thauvin, misfiring Angers finally got back on level terms thanks to Traore's header from a free-kick on 79 minutes.

— afp, chicagotribune.com, "Ligue 1 Recap: Marseille stumble in bid for Champions League spot," 29 Apr. 2018
Torched by the Rockets' perimeter proficiency in the first half, the Blazers stayed within range in the second half thanks in part to Houston misfiring on all 14 of its 3-pointers after the break.

— special to the oregonian, OregonLive.com, "Chris Paul spoils improbable 4th-quarter comeback by Portland Trail Blazers," 5 Apr. 2018
Zackery missed a jumper, and Cooper Brinkman misfired on a layup that led to a transition basket by Kaukauna's Eric Carl.

— andrew gruman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "WIAA basketball: Kaukauna pulls away late to down Westosha Central in Division 2 semifinal," 16 Mar. 2018
Both quarterbacks also misfired on a few passes due to the wet ball.

— OrlandoSentinel.com, "Kelley Joiner Jr. and South Lake run past Mount Dora in spring football," 15 May 2018
Chef-owner Deneb Williams can sometimes misfire, however, by gilding the lily so that dishes feel overwrought.

— kate washington, sacbee, "If Allora can learn to relax a little, it will be one of the city's best restaurants | The Sacramento Bee," 11 May 2018
The Pistons misfired badly from deep, making just 1 of 12 3-pointers.

— jonathan feigen, Houston Chronicle, "Rockets overcome sloppy shooting to beat Pistons in overtime," 22 Mar. 2018
Vela and Eduard Atuesta also misfired on shots midway through the half before Mark Anthony-Kaye's header into Maurer's arms closed out a half in which LAFC got off nine shots, but had just one goal to show for all that work.

— kevin baxter, latimes.com, "LAFC fail to finish for home fans as win streak snapped," 6 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'misfire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of misfire

1752

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

misfire Synonyms

Phrases

come a cropper, come to grief, fall flat, fall short;

misfire

noun mis·fire \ ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r , ˈmis-ˌ \

Definition of misfire

1 : a failure (as of a cartridge or firearm) to fire

2 : something that misfires

Recent Examples of misfire from the Web

The third member of the former champions trio Rickie Fowler could only shoot 74, while another big-name triumvirate to misfire was that of Rory McIlroy (71), Jordan Spieth (75) and Justin Thomas (73).

— rob hodgetts, CNN, "Tiger Woods outplays 'overweight middle-aged guy' Phil Mickelson," 11 May 2018
Last August, The Oregonian/OregonLive chronicled the escalating costs and technical misfires behind a $166.7 million effort to automate Medicaid.

— the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "Oregon Chief Information Officer Alex Pettit stepping down," 6 Apr. 2018
Until now, the work has amounted to little more than D.I.Y. misfires.

— emily baumgaertner, New York Times, "As D.I.Y. Gene Editing Gains Popularity, ‘Someone Is Going to Get Hurt’," 14 May 2018
That may have been true for films of the past, such as Catwoman and Elektra, which were both critically panned and misfires at the box office.

— yolanda machado, Marie Claire, "Marvel's 'Infinity War' Totally Misses With Its Female Characters," 27 Apr. 2018
In the six episodes made available for review, for example, there are a few peculiar misfires.

— tom gliatto, PEOPLE.com, "The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 Continues Its Nightmarish Saga with Undiminished Terror and Power," 25 Apr. 2018
Accordingly, some of the art in the 40th anniversary show misfires.

— joey morona, cleveland.com, "Cleveland featured in premiere of Travel Channel's 'Eat, Drink, Haggle' with Lara Spencer," 21 Apr. 2018
The quarterback at Foxborough High could make that throw,’ Belichick often would say after replaying a Brady misfire.

— kyle smith, National Review, "Hillary Embarrasses Herself at the Grammys," 29 Jan. 2018
Overall, the show’s big bet on Negan has been a bit of a misfire, with ratings hitting staggering lows last year, and Negan himself largely absent from the first half of the show’s eighth season.

— nick statt, The Verge, "The Walking Dead Villain Watch season 8, episode 15: Worth," 9 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of misfire

1789

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

MISFIRE Defined for English Language Learners

misfire

verb

Definition of misfire for English Language Learners

of an engine : to fail to work properly because the fuel mixture burns at the wrong time
of a gun : to fail to fire properly : to fail to shoot a bullet
: to fail to have an intended effect : to fail to work properly