Synonyms of backfire

backfire 1 of 2

verb

ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r 

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

• collapse
• flop
• boomerang
• struggle
• fold
• wane
• slip
• flunk
• wash out
• flounder
• slump
• decline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeed
• flourish
• thrive
• prosper

backfire

2 of 2

noun

as in forest fire

Related Words

• forest fire
• wildfire
• bonfire
• campfire
• conflagration
• brush fire
• inferno
• arson
• blaze
• holocaust
• flare-up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backfire

Verb

John Cornyn and Thom Tillis and is mulling withdrawing Blanche’s nomination, a move that could backfire if Democrats cut into Republicans’ slim Senate majority this fall. — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Attempting to be all things to all people is a recipe for feeling burnt out and resentful, and your best people-pleasing efforts could surely backfire. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026

Noun

To call this a TABOR backfire would be an understatement for the ages. — Sean Camacho, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026

Worried about a longtime friend’s memory issues, the letter writer asks a niece to check in one her — which backfires. — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026