as in to collapse
to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect
my plan to throw her a surprise party backfired when she ended up thinking that everyone had forgotten her birthday
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in forest fire
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backfire
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Analysts also see Trump’s attempt to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs as a potential backfire for Bolsonaro during his trial and a push for Lula, whose reelection bid was facing unpopularity headwinds this year.
—Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
Some feared the more aggressive plan could be susceptible to a legal challenge and could backfire in a poor election year for Republicans by creating more competitive districts that could allow Democrats to win three seats.
—David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Verb
After his attack on Ted backfires and Louise leaves him to follow a budding cult leader, Vernon Jefferson Peak (Austin Butler), Joe begins to spiral.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Analysts also see Trump’s attempt to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs as a potential backfire for Bolsonaro during his trial and a push for Lula, whose reelection bid was facing unpopularity headwinds this year.
—Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
The coach’s aggressive philosophy, which produced a 14-6 record at Bentley University, backfired in the third quarter.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
Some feared the more aggressive plan could be susceptible to a legal challenge and could backfire in a poor election year for Republicans by creating more competitive districts that could allow Democrats to win three seats.
—David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
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The marathon meeting evoked memories of a past era of contentious county budgets in the wake of the 2008 housing crash, when collapsed real estate values caused a severe revenue crunch for Miami-Dade.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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But there have still been high-profile rail bridge collapses like the one in Montana two years ago that sent a train hauling petroleum products into the Yellowstone River, sending tar balls downstream that had to be cleaned up.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jeanine Pirro spread false election claims as Fox News host, but flopped under oath.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
27 Aug. 2025
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Some other very high selections flopped.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As of Saturday afternoon, 76% of the wildfire was brought under containment.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Evacuation orders have been announced for parts of Napa County, California as a wildfire continues to blaze through the area.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For an extra layer on the plane or at the family bonfire, this travel blanket is a perfect gift for moms everywhere.—
Madeleine Bokan Thares,
Glamour,
25 Aug. 2025
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As evening settles, bonfires crackle and the sky deepens to indigo—stars sharpening above the valley.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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So rejoice, and fire up an éclade at your next cookout, campfire, or clambake.—
Peter Barrett,
Outside,
30 Aug. 2025
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Whoever was the first person to pierce a marshmallow with a stick and pop it over the campfire.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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