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

Before a fuel pump fails, drivers may notice poor engine performance, including misfiring, rough running, reduced power, or a check engine light, NHTSA said in a notice to dealers. —Nilutpal Timsina, Freep.com, 11 July 2025

Now, researchers at Yale University are tuning in at the single-cell level, examining how the brain’s wiring might be misfiring in PTSD. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 6 July 2025

Noun

John Wick spinoff Ballerina may have been a box office misfire in June, but its release stirred enough interest in the franchise to boost Lionsgate‘s library revenue close to $1 billion over the trailing 12-month period. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025

Now, with another major misfire behind him, his Ryder Cup hopes dangle by a thread. —Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 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