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
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Could this in some way backfire on Democrats or erode the public's trust overall?
—NBC news, 10 Aug. 2025
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
But from that point, the stock steadily declined as Donahoe’s plan backfired once the pandemic stabilized and shoppers returned to in-store shopping.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Verb
In the context of romance, decision fatigue arises when the seemingly convenient abundance of avenues for finding a partner start to, ironically, backfire.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Could this in some way backfire on Democrats or erode the public's trust overall?
—NBC news, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
James is one of them, though his kindly attempts to be there for Linda, as amateur repairman and reluctant babysitter, have a way of backfiring, usually on himself.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
But from that point, the stock steadily declined as Donahoe’s plan backfired once the pandemic stabilized and shoppers returned to in-store shopping.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
-
Some stars collapsed to the sea floor, dissolved into piles of goo.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The South Lebanon Army has just collapsed and Hezbollah are advancing fast while Israel is withdrawing its troops from Lebanon six weeks before its July deadline.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The inflationary forest fire that many expected to see has yet to ignite.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The only safe way to get real fires was laying gas lines and creating gas burns, without releasing any particles in the air that would potentially cause a forest fire.—
Tomris Laffly,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The film flopped theatrically when it was released in 1993, but became a cult classic and staple during the Halloween season and at drag shows.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
18 Oct. 2025
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The following year would bring her signature role as Emma Fairfax in Richard Fleischer’s big-budget box office flop musical adaptation of Doctor Dolittle (1967) also starring Rex Harrison and Anthony Newley.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Hydrophobic soil is particularly problematic after a wildfire when soil particles become coated with waxy substances as organic matter decomposes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
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The page also warns of wildfires during prolonged droughts or extreme heatwaves.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Complete the autumnal theme with scents that transport you to the pumpkin patch, the forest, and even a backyard bonfire with oakwood and spiced notes like allspice and chestnut.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
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The images of that bonfire appeared in newsreels across the country.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Starting in April, visitors to Australia’s Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park will be able to stay overnight for the first time, stargazing by campfire by the world’s largest monolith.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
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Stay at the park lodge to close each leaf-peeping day with a cozy fall campfire.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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