BACKFIRE Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

backfire 1 of 2

verb

ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r

Definition of backfire

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

backfire

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of backfire

Verb

In an attempt to play more of a traditional center role for the Magic, Isaac added weight ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, but the decision, which was made collectively with him and the team, backfired. — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 World Cup His bold decision to go with a nine-man rotation backfired in a 3-2 World Cup loss. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 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 See All Example Sentences for backfire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire

Verb

The camaraderie was evident on the ground here in La Guaira, the coastal city where quake damage was most severe, collapsing dozens of buildings.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
The dogs, specially trained to detect human scent, have spent days searching for people trapped beneath the rubble of nearly 200 buildings that collapsed following the two powerful back-to-back earthquakes.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of collapse

Noun

Similarly, a major firefighting operation was underway in southwest Germany near the village of Traisen, where the heat sparked a forest fire in an area that also contained unexploded ordnance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
This Anglican example near Beaufort, South Carolina, was built in the 1740s, but was largely destroyed by a forest fire in 1886.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

Definition of forest fire

Noun

In August last year, a study by World Weather Attribution said climate change that has driven scorching temperatures and dwindling rainfall made massive wildfires in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus burn much more fiercely that summer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
California's insurance crisis has spread beyond wildfire-prone areas of the state, according to research from Stanford.

— Scott Cohn, CNBC, 10 July 2026

Definition of wildfire

Noun

This luxury glamping experience includes nightly bonfires, fishing, river tubing, and access to a wellness studio, as well as meals at the on-site Meander restaurant.

— Tree Meinch, Midwest Living, 11 July 2026
The bonfires are the centerpiece of the loyalist calendar, underlining an identity built on being British.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of bonfire

Noun

Starry summer nights and crisp fall evenings beg for campfire chats and waking beneath a canopy of leaves.

— Tree Meinch, Midwest Living, 11 July 2026
Think of it like a campfire — anything retaining that heat should be kept separate, cold, and away from your house before throwing it away.

— Noah Daly July 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2026

Definition of campfire

Browse Nearby Words

backers

backfire

backfired

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Style

“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of backfire

verb

noun

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