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
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
But their attempts to address more fundamental corruption backfire; many interpret their pragmatic cooperation with the government as carrying water for Juan Orlando Hernández, a strongman president later exposed as a drug trafficker who is now serving a 45-year sentence in a U.S. penitentiary.
—Katherine Corcoran, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Angela Yang, NBC news, 23 July 2025
So Cuomo’s efforts on that front could end up backfiring.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Verb
This is exactly what happened when an interview designed to hype up AEW turned into a PR backfire for all involved.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
But their attempts to address more fundamental corruption backfire; many interpret their pragmatic cooperation with the government as carrying water for Juan Orlando Hernández, a strongman president later exposed as a drug trafficker who is now serving a 45-year sentence in a U.S. penitentiary.
—Katherine Corcoran, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Noun
But Netanyahu’s bid to appeal to young people appeared to backfire online, where the interview drew widespread criticism from viewers across the political spectrum.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 23 July 2025
So Cuomo’s efforts on that front could end up backfiring.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
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The episode ended with a deep-fake public service announcement that showed Trump walking through the desert, taking off his clothes and collapsing nude in the sand.—
Christine Ricciardi,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
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Burrell, 55, was found collapsed on her shower floor in her Brooklyn apartment at about 1 a.m. on June 17.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
Verb
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The analysis does point out some elements of the arrangement that could prove to be problematic for San Diego taxpayers if the project flops.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 July 2025
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Lastly, the charge port for the gearbox is on the end of a wire that just flops around in an annoying and unsightly fashion.—
Eric Bangeman,
ArsTechnica,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Canadian wildfire smoke has triggered an air quality advisory for the entire state of Michigan.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Last week, Canadian wildfire smoke blanketed Wisconsin and caused the Air Quality Index to reach the unhealthy level for sensitive groups.—
Jack Albright,
jsonline.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Noll explained that her daughter, a high school sophomore, had gone to a bonfire hosted by a fellow member of the Aletheia Club, a Christian group at her school.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
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Not many women can be seen around the bonfires dotting the horizon near Gaza City on this night in June, captured on video.—
Sarah El Sirgany,
CNN Money,
30 July 2025
Noun
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The Summer Camp Aesthetic, full of nostalgic nods to bunk beds, keychain crafts, and crackling campfires, is popping up in homes this season, blending rustic charm with playful, outdoorsy energy.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 July 2025
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In season 2, Ozzy decided to build a campfire outside his beach house.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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