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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in forest fire
Related Words
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
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Some Democrats warn that further partisan redistricting could backfire on the party.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 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
The move to Weissert, though, backfired.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Some Democrats warn that further partisan redistricting could backfire on the party.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 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
-
In 1980, 35 people were killed when a freighter rammed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay in Florida, causing a 1,300-foot section of the southbound span to collapse.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
And today, for the time being, the regime has collapsed totally.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Modern chips are becoming so powerful that air cooling is like trying to put out a forest fire with a desk fan.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
-
Doñana has not had a forest fire in nearly a decade.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Much of the discussion following the game is about flopping and supposed favorable whistles for the Thunder.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Some species will flop over when grown in rich soils.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Georgia's statewide burn ban is over, but the fight against two massive wildfires in South Georgia is not.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Throughout his campaign, Pratt has emphasized issues such as homelessness, public safety, wildfire response and government spending, positioning himself as a political outsider challenging the status quo in Los Angeles and drawing support from voters dissatisfied with current leadership.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
And not just because one of the leading contestants torched himself and his political livelihood in a bonfire of hubris and stupidity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls Summer brings swimmers, bikers, and other outdoors enthusiasts to this popular four-season resort; in winter, ski lifts transform into scenic rides, and families enjoy Saturday night bonfires with s'mores.—
Jess Hoffert,
Midwest Living,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Some scenes are recounted in the third person by an omniscient narrator who frequently lapses into free indirect discourse; others record the stories that Pancho Villa tells around a campfire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
On their first album under the moniker, the two noisemakers from Animal Collective delight in this combination, foregrounding campfire acoustics while sinister drones lurk around the corner.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
