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
Rahm’s late leap to LIV, in what appeared to be a strategic move to force the PGA Tour and LIV to reconcile, backfired.
—
Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 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
If true, that approach backfired.
—Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
The move appears to have backfired, spurring voters in California and, last week, Virginia to redraw their state’s political maps to more than offset Texas and boost Democrats in November.
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Left Arrow Right Arrow Another candid confession from Jerry O’Connell backfired fast as critics seized on the actor’s remarks about his teenage daughters’ partying and vaping habits.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
And so far, the top team's choice has backfired, including last year, when Montreal opted to play third-place Ottawa and lost the series in four games.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
The move appears to have backfired, spurring voters in California and, last week, Virginia to redraw their state’s political maps to more than offset Texas and boost Democrats in November.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
In July 1998, Victoria Keenan and her son Jason were driving near a white supremacist compound in northern Idaho when the car backfired or stalled.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 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
If true, that approach backfired.
—Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
The move appears to have backfired, spurring voters in California and, last week, Virginia to redraw their state’s political maps to more than offset Texas and boost Democrats in November.
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Left Arrow Right Arrow Another candid confession from Jerry O’Connell backfired fast as critics seized on the actor’s remarks about his teenage daughters’ partying and vaping habits.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
And so far, the top team's choice has backfired, including last year, when Montreal opted to play third-place Ottawa and lost the series in four games.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
The move appears to have backfired, spurring voters in California and, last week, Virginia to redraw their state’s political maps to more than offset Texas and boost Democrats in November.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
In July 1998, Victoria Keenan and her son Jason were driving near a white supremacist compound in northern Idaho when the car backfired or stalled.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfired
Verb
-
Although Detroit collapsed in the second round, the front office’s confidence in Bickerstaff, who signed a contract extension the day after the Pistons ousted the Orlando Magic in the first round, hasn’t wavered.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Decker collapsed during a training exercise on Thursday afternoon in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue in West Rogers Park.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
That flopped, as have all subsequent attempts to protect nature permanently and on a large scale through the use of markets.—
John Reid,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
Rick Pitino, Billy Donovan, Brad Stevens, Fred Hoiberg, John Calipari, Tim Floyd, Lon Kruger, Mike Montgomery, Leonard Hamilton all left college to try the NBA, and most flopped.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 21 May. 2026.
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