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
Shadé Zahrai, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
His backup plan backfired in the moment, and the Super Bowl champions will start their postseason defense of the title as the 3 seed.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 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
This often backfires, triggering gaslighting, denial, or escalation.
—Shadé Zahrai, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
His backup plan backfired in the moment, and the Super Bowl champions will start their postseason defense of the title as the 3 seed.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 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
-
The activity periodically forms a dome over the main vent, which eventually collapses, causing an eruption.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
-
McDearmond knew without Hannah's help, the criminal case against Brian would likely collapse.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The forest fire sequence is a good example.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The free-agent signing of Nate Davis flopped.—
Kevin Fishbain,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Early experiments, like the Humane AI pin, have flopped due to high prices and poor performance.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One year after two major wildfires tore through opposite sides of Los Angeles County, recovery for thousands of families remains far from complete.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Currently, 14 of the state’s 17 major water reservoirs are at 70% capacity or higher, and wildfire risk is minimal.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The outlet noted that the videos appeared to show protesters chanting against the Iranian regime around bonfires as debris littered the streets in Tehran and other areas in the country.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The February Biikebrennen bonfire festival is a highlight every winter.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What at first appeared to some Altadenans as merely a campfire-sized flame spread quickly, consuming the base of the tower and then everything around it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Visitors can experience sledding down the snow hill, roasting marshmallows by a campfire and gliding around in a synthetic skate rink.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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