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
Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
But critics warn that attempts to impose other financial consequences on Iran could ultimately backfire on the United States and its allies.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 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
Analysts warned the measures will spike tensions with China’s trading partners, and could backfire by encouraging the very outflow of investment, talent, and technology that the legislation is intended to prevent.
—Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
But critics warn that attempts to impose other financial consequences on Iran could ultimately backfire on the United States and its allies.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 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
-
At Yale University, a committee of professors wanted to know why public trust in higher education had collapsed.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
But after that decent start, their form collapsed.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Doñana has not had a forest fire in nearly a decade.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Under Cook, the company has become less surprising but massively financially successful; some of Apple’s newer products have flopped or underperformed, but far more have become and stayed excellent thanks to years of competent iteration.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Large blooms can cause shoots to flop.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Threats to the ozone layer continue, from, for example, chlorine-containing molecules emitted by massive wildfires and aluminum oxide produced when satellites and other space objects burn up upon reentry into the atmosphere.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
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The low humidity combined with gusty winds and very dry vegetation will result in an elevated threat for the rapid spread of wildfires across the area.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Take a dip in the 100-foot-long Caliza Pool, stroll the elevated boardwalk in the nature preserve, have a meal at the bright and airy Fonville Press, and then head to Inlet Beach Regional Access to unwind by a bonfire in the evening.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
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In her home in a tidy working class alley, Shiranti Rambukkana has set up a literal bonfire in her narrow living room.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The restaurant, which also doubles up as check in, is all soaring ceilings, wooden beams and a wood burner reminiscent of a campfire, edged in stone.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
National Photo Committee know the best stories around a cowboy’s campfire come down to who’s telling them, and Bottner is both a powerful singer and a towering narrator.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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