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

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

How to Watch Orlando Magic vs Charlotte Hornets Coach Jamahl Mosley has to be feeling a little bit of heat, as the Magic (predicted to win 51-52 games) continue to misfire, sitting at just 1-4, 12th in the Eastern Conference. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

Prescott misfired to wideout George Pickens with Moss in coverage at the Dallas 44. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 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

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