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
semafor.com,
22 June 2026
That campaign largely backfired, as USA TODAY previously reported.
—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
19 June 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
But some mining experts argue that refining is the most volatile part of the minerals value chain and can sometimes backfire.
—
semafor.com,
22 June 2026
That campaign largely backfired, as USA TODAY previously reported.
—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
19 June 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
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Over 14 months, Safiya -- a pediatrician by training -- became one of the most prominent voices in Gaza, speaking out on social media about the strip's collapsing healthcare system.
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In mature markets like Oregon and Colorado, wholesale flower prices have collapsed dramatically.
Noun
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This Anglican example near Beaufort, South Carolina, was built in the 1740s, but was largely destroyed by a forest fire in 1886.
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Schlotterbeck said forest fire ignition sources often are the hot catalytic converter on a car or SUV running off a road, or a cigarette tossed out of a car window.
Verb
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In Late Summer In late summer, iris plants can become disheveled-looking and even flop over.
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Replay shows the defender never made meaningful contact and the offensive player overly-exaggerated the contact (flopped).
Noun
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Among the findings cited in the motion, cellphone data showed Hobby was not near the fire's ignition point in the 24-to-48 hours leading up to the wildfire being reported, the time in which investigators believe the fire first started.
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Since her passing, Sonoma County experienced the most destructive wildfires in California history in 2017, only for another, more destructive fire to surpass it a year later.
Noun
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Sit beside a bonfire on the beach to watch the sunset or gaze up at the stars.
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Ginger offers a spicy, citrus-like tang, while woods ground the scent and give a fiery, bonfire-like element.
Noun
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With a mood board of influences including CD-binder staples like Neil Young’s Harvest Moon and alt-country lifers Blue Rodeo’s Five Days in July, Shabason and Krgovich summon the spirit of a backyard campfire attended by folkies and experimental jazz nerds alike.
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Even a raging campfire might throw only 30 or 40 lux.
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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