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

Harden misfired on two 3-point attempts in the final seconds. —CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

As the moon and Mercury clash, your intuition misfires. —Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025

Noun

Even with some unequivocal subsequent misfires like Jack, Youth Without Youth and last year’s disappointing big swing, Megalopolis, no one can dispute the greatness of a filmmaking visionary who spawned such a rapid succession of classics. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 20 Nov. 2025

The rest of the time, players should be prepared for misfires such as this one; the production values are there, but the cohesive creative vision isn’t. —Fran J. Ruiz, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 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