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
Synonyms & Similar 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
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
That could backfire in a presidential bid DNC vote on David Hogg's fate unites Democratic incumbents
Georgia lawmaker Derrick Jackson becomes fourth Democrat to announce gubernatorial bid
Political tides appear to be trending in Republicans’ favor in the Garden State.
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2025
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025
Overreliance on automation backfires in less public ways, too.
—Anthony Chiaravallo, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Verb
The win was big after Friday’s 3-1 loss, in which a poor decision by third-base coach Quintin Berry to send Crow-Armstrong home in a scoreless game against Tarik Skubal backfired.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
That could backfire in a presidential bid DNC vote on David Hogg's fate unites Democratic incumbents
Georgia lawmaker Derrick Jackson becomes fourth Democrat to announce gubernatorial bid
Political tides appear to be trending in Republicans’ favor in the Garden State.
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2025
Noun
The plan backfires, especially after Yelena, Walker, and Ghost realize they’ve been set up.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025
Overreliance on automation backfires in less public ways, too.
—Anthony Chiaravallo, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
-
Without a proper response from the immune system, even the most efficient organs won’t prevent the body from collapsing.—
Marcin Nowak,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Many of these allies, as well as the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, have collapsed over the last year and a half under Israeli military pressure.—
Ruth Marks Eglash,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
Meta’s first glasses, the Ray-Ban Stories, flopped in 2021.—
Ani Freedman,
Fortune,
20 June 2025
-
The 2023 2-Year-Old Champion stormed into 2024 with a huge Florida Derby (G1) win before flopping badly in the Kentucky Derby.—
Jared Welch,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
That's why the Denver Broncos offensive lineman teamed up with USAA and Team Rubicon to help protect Eagle Next Ranch in Colorado from wildfires earlier this week.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
-
The governor also said the wildfires in Los Angeles, which ravaged entire neighborhoods, took an economic toll on the state and forced state and federal officials to delay tax deadlines in the county.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
All the more reason to escape into nostalgic summer activities like going to the boardwalk, riding roller coasters at night, and hanging out at the beach by the bonfire.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
18 June 2025
-
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for food and fellowship, with a bonfire to follow, pending weather.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Snag one of this quiet campground’s 43 sites, gather ’round the campfire, and toast your good sense to be here.—
Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan,
Outside Online,
6 June 2025
-
My personal campfire cup has been for years an old Miir coffee cup that has taken a beating in the back of trucks and rucksacks bouncing down the trail.—
Tom Mylan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share