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
CBS News, 11 July 2025
Early plan for Weaver backfires Luke Weaver jogged out of the bullpen toward the mound as Devin Williams began to warm up.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Redistricting experts have said the plan could backfire if Republicans try to squeeze too many seats out of what is already considered a significantly skewed map.
—USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Verb
Analysts also see Trump's attempt to interfere in the country's domestic affairs as a potential backfire for Bolsonaro during his trial and a push for Lula, whose reelection bid was facing unpopularity headwinds this year.
—CBS News, 11 July 2025
Early plan for Weaver backfires Luke Weaver jogged out of the bullpen toward the mound as Devin Williams began to warm up.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Noun
Driskell said redistricting could easily backfire on the GOP.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Redistricting experts have said the plan could backfire if Republicans try to squeeze too many seats out of what is already considered a significantly skewed map.
—USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
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Humanitarian workers themselves are collapsing from hunger.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Multiple Outer Banks homes have collapsed into the ocean in recent years, including at least three around this time last year from Hurricane Ernesto’s waves.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Iron Sushi, 9030 SW 72nd Pl., South Miami-Dade Routine inspection, 28 total violations, one High Priority violation Iron Sushi stands as a restaurant ironman of failure, flopping on inspections Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.—
David J. Neal
August 1,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
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Field gave a presentation to the startup’s board, self-assuredly outlining his research about the features users loved and which ones flopped.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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More evacuation orders rolled out across Colorado’s Western Slope on Wednesday as five wildfires burned across hundreds of square miles.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
13 Aug. 2025
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Kravitz said Swift had generously invited the mother-daughter duo to stay in her home during the evacuations caused by the L.A. wildfires in January.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But also just a touch ironic — like a man handing out fire safety pamphlets while carelessly flipping burgers over a bonfire on his porch.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
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It’s designed for the discerning drinker who’d like their mezcal a little less bonfire, a little more mineral.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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The whiskey features aromas of toasted grain, campfire smoke, caramel, and a hint of citrus.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Charms The final part of a Gunslinger's arsenal is charms, which can be equipped at campfires to gain a variety of passive effects.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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