as in collapsed
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
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Recent Examples of backfired
Trump’s plans for Nvidia chips backfired Trump has not yet commented on Nvidia’s plans in Taiwan, but the US president has repeatedly praised Huang as brilliant, while consulting with Huang on AI industry and tariff questions.
—
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
The move backfired on Nexstar as a federal judge in Northern California issued a preliminary injunction, ordering Nexstar to halt the Tegna consolidation.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
But the club chose Liam Rosenior to replace him, and that backfired badly.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Macron’s highest aspirations to, as a modern Talleyrand, inject himself and solve global issues such as Ukraine, Africa’s Sahel, Syria, Lebanon, or Iran have fallen short, degenerated into petty feuds, or backfired.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 season, getting Anthony Davis as the centerpiece in a deal that backfired badly on the franchise.
—CBS News, 20 May 2026
Progressives getting behind Campa-Najjar say that pro-Israel groups spending on von Wilpert’s behalf has backfired.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 May 2026
The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 season, getting Anthony Davis as the centerpiece in a deal that backfired badly on the franchise.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
Virginia Republican strategist Brian Kirwin said Democrats’ attempt to fast-track the referendum ultimately backfired.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2026
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
The move backfired on Nexstar as a federal judge in Northern California issued a preliminary injunction, ordering Nexstar to halt the Tegna consolidation.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
But the club chose Liam Rosenior to replace him, and that backfired badly.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Macron’s highest aspirations to, as a modern Talleyrand, inject himself and solve global issues such as Ukraine, Africa’s Sahel, Syria, Lebanon, or Iran have fallen short, degenerated into petty feuds, or backfired.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 season, getting Anthony Davis as the centerpiece in a deal that backfired badly on the franchise.
—CBS News, 20 May 2026
Progressives getting behind Campa-Najjar say that pro-Israel groups spending on von Wilpert’s behalf has backfired.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 May 2026
The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 season, getting Anthony Davis as the centerpiece in a deal that backfired badly on the franchise.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
Virginia Republican strategist Brian Kirwin said Democrats’ attempt to fast-track the referendum ultimately backfired.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfired
Verb
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The Arsia Mons volcano is of particular interest to NASA because the agency spotted holes in the shield where the volcanic ceiling had collapsed, leaving skylights behind and revealing a vast tunnel network within.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
25 May 2026
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As the mine expanded, buildings fractured and some collapsed.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Caruso had one of the greatest games of his career, but everyone else flopped.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
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As in most insurance company failures, PHL flopped for several reasons.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The ball skidded though the green, banged off the Truist fencing and boomeranged right back into the same bunker.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
10 May 2026
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Those lower judges eventually rejected his arguments, and Reed boomeranged back to the justices.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfired. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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