misfire

1 of 2

verb

mis·​fire ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r 

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 

ˈmis-ˌfī(-ə)r

1

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

2

: something that misfires

Synonyms of misfire

Verb

• fail
• fall short
• miscarry
• stall
• fall flat
• come to grief

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

Verb

Elsewhere on the weekend’s box office leaderboards, the independent Christian outfit Angel Studios misfired with Runner, a thriller starring Alan Ritchson as a former soldier racing to save a child’s life as a drug cartel closes in. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2026

In every one of those three games, Young has misfired for two interceptions and thrown for somewhere between 146 and 161 yards as Carolina scored exactly 10 points. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026

Noun

But that boldness ups the likelihood of misfires, given the guessing game involved with such untested talent. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

But while the change of pace undoubtedly felt liberating, the end result comes across as a leaden misfire. — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misfire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar

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