backfire 1 of 2

verb

ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce backfire (audio)
Definition of backfirenext
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

backfire

2 of 2

noun

as in forest fire

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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
Verb
The libertarian economist said giving the federal government greater control over the healthcare system would only backfire. — Kff Health News, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2026 West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and decided to bat first but the decision appeared to backfire when the Bangladesh pacers put the visitors in trouble inside the first nine overs. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
More news to know now Could Trump's midterms strategy backfire? — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 May 2026 No, the backfire here would come from the little fact that this campaign will be promoting California just as the governor of our fair state begins in earnest his own campaign to become president of the United States. — Larry Wilson, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
  1. collapse
  2. forest fire
  3. flop
  4. wildfire
  5. bonfire
  6. campfire
Verb
  • In one of the videos, a policeman is seen repeatedly shooting the attacker, who is lying on the street, only to later slowly collapse himself to the ground.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Satellite imagery shows that in Caraballeda, 63% of all high-rise towers built by a special public housing authority collapsed.
    — Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of collapse
Noun
  • Similarly, a major firefighting operation was underway in southwest Germany near the village of Traisen, where the heat sparked a forest fire in an area that also contained unexploded ordnance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
  • This Anglican example near Beaufort, South Carolina, was built in the 1740s, but was largely destroyed by a forest fire in 1886.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
Definition of forest fire
Verb
  • Automotive analyst Automotive analyst Felipe Munoz said that although the Cybertruck has been called a failure because of its poor sales, electric pick-ups from Ford and others have also flopped in the US market.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In fact, the only previous cinematic encounter was the unfortunate 2003 live-action version with Mike Myers that flopped critically and at the box office, winning a pathetic 10 Razzie nominations as one of the worst pictures of that year.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of flop
Noun
  • Home insurance rates also have skyrocketed amid inflation, a rise in construction costs and rising wildfire claims.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
  • California’s system of handling wildfire liability will make electric bills more expensive and hurt the financial rating of power companies, the state’s utility regulator warned in a recent report.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of wildfire
Noun
  • Every few days there’s a communal dinner in the boma, which starts with a welcome performance from the team around a bonfire.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The event in Poland saw 45 of the brand’s global community of creators, adventurers and wearers arrive in the country for an invite-only Well Worn Blundstone bonfire, as part of the brand’s Well Worn campaign.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of bonfire
Noun
  • Others have walked on the bridge, including some who built a campfire and burned a hole through the deck of the bridge.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The crew decamped to Joshua Tree, jamming around a campfire and recording in a makeshift studio in their Airbnb.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of campfire

Browse Nearby Words

backers
backfire
backfired
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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