mis·fire
ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r 
misfired; misfiring; misfires
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
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
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
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
There were issues with intake manifold leaks, exhaust manifold cracking, coolant leaks, engine misfires due to corrosion, and water in the spark plug holes.
—John Paul, The Providence Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026
And, with inflation weighing on people's budgets and other economic pressures looming, these payment timing misfires are becoming more common.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfire
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Verb
Even if the Rams had scored with, say, 90 seconds to go instead of 38 seconds, because a blitz misfired, at least Carolina would have had time to try for a tying field goal and send the game into OT.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
There were issues with intake manifold leaks, exhaust manifold cracking, coolant leaks, engine misfires due to corrosion, and water in the spark plug holes.
—John Paul, The Providence Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
As reported by Forbes, Goldman Sachs projects the influencer economy will grow to nearly $500 billion by 2027, with the past year seeing plenty of misfires by celebrities and creators hoping to take home a piece of the pie.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026
And, with inflation weighing on people's budgets and other economic pressures looming, these payment timing misfires are becoming more common.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfire
Cite this Entry
“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misfire. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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