misfire

1 of 2

verb

mis·​fire ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r How to pronounce misfire (audio)
misfired; misfiring; misfires

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

misfire

2 of 2

noun

mis·​fire ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r How to pronounce misfire (audio)
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
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
Advertisement Lately, other movie musicals have misfired at the box office. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024 Lewis then misfired on its next three passes and Monarch won. Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
Culminating in a maudlin ending that seems a bit much even for a film of this type, Dear Santa is the sort of forgettable holiday fare — much like the current theatrical misfire Red One — that will probably nonetheless live on forever on streaming services. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024 Another political misfire for Lake For Lake, the loss, juxtaposed with Trump’s simultaneous victory in Arizona, is another electoral disappointment for her political career. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 11 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for misfire 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misfire was in 1752

Dictionary Entries Near misfire

Cite this Entry

“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misfire. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

misfire

verb
mis·​fire
(ˈ)mis-ˈfī(ə)r
1
: to have the explosive or driving 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
the plan misfired
misfire noun

More from Merriam-Webster on misfire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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