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
San Jose State missed two scoring opportunities when kicker Mathias Brown missed a 53-yard field goal, and then misfired on a 47-yard field goal attempt on the following drive. Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 While it was later discovered that the explosion was caused by a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket that misfired, MSF neither corrected nor deleted its condemnation, which is still available on X but has a community note. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
The single and double pinch gestures were all spot-on with no misfires. PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025 Knightley and Pearce coast and their characters never come alive and resort to doing silly things at this misfire’s absurd, regrettable finale. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misfire. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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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