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
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backfire
Literary Hub, 16 Feb. 2026
Abbott, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth term, is hoping to change that dynamic this cycle — a gamble that early polling suggests could backfire.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 15 Feb. 2026
Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
This can cause the airflow to slow down, stagnate, or even reverse, potentially resulting in backfire-like sounds and visible flames from the engine inlet or exhaust.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Verb
If the angle is right, there’s a resounding crack like the sound of a car that’s backfired.
—Literary Hub, 16 Feb. 2026
Abbott, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth term, is hoping to change that dynamic this cycle — a gamble that early polling suggests could backfire.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
Parsons was asked on Tuesday, ahead of Thursday night’s Packers-Commanders tilt at Lambeau Field, about picking your spots when rushing against Daniels, given his ability to make an overzealous rush plan backfire by escaping the pocket.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
This can cause the airflow to slow down, stagnate, or even reverse, potentially resulting in backfire-like sounds and visible flames from the engine inlet or exhaust.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
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Family members and Blackbird Mountain Guides officials said the group was on the last day of a three-day trip to the Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak and that the skiers were heading back to the trailhead when the slope collapsed.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
22 Feb. 2026
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As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, Ukraine’s birth rate is collapsing, with increasing number of people struggling with fertility or putting off the decision to have children.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Tengden said the aircraft is designed for reconnaissance, precision strikes, communications relay, emergency rescue, and forest fire prevention.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Dec. 2025
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The forest fire sequence is a good example.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the new uniforms flopped spectacularly upon their debut in spring training, with players complaining that the jerseys looked cheap, felt papery and that the names on the back were too small.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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The Neo is a few blocks from another property that flopped into financial woes.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, the Palisades fire burned 23,448 acres and destroyed much of the exclusive Pacific Palisades community, destroying about 6,800 structures and killing 12 people.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Under state law, if a utility is determined to have acted reasonably it can be reimbursed for all or most of the damages of the fire by a state wildfire fund.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Brenna Hernandez The volunteers with the Shedd will cut down European buckthorn in the forest preserve and burn it in a bonfire.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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There’s always a huge bonfire to warm up by, as well as a beer garden, various food trucks and tables featuring local vendors and nonprofit organizations selling delicious treats.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The peels are the perfect vessel for grilling banana halves or making banana splits over the campfire.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
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On that phone call with Kaufman, Weir grabbed a guitar and started singing snippets of campfire songs from his past, eagerly wanting to add new verses to some of them.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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