Synonyms of backfired

backfired

verb

past tense of backfire

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapsed
• flopped
• boomeranged
• folded
• struggled
• floundered
• slipped
• waned
• flunked
• washed out
• slumped
• declined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeeded
• flourished
• prospered
• thrived

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backfired

But that plan backfired and has succeeded only in drawing attention to the 18 dead Americans. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026

Then the team didn’t make any serious additions at the 2024 deadline even though the Twins were contending for a wild-card spot, a decision that backfired when a club that was 70-53 collapsed, losing 29 of 41 games and missing the playoffs. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

But Beijing’s pressure backfired by instigating broader public support for her leadership. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026

This strategy helped her and also backfired with a firm that did not want to humanize the process. — John M. O'Connor, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Previous leadership had bet on returning GE to its industrial roots via equipment for gas, steam, and other forms of power generation, but the pivot backfired as energy demand fell short and wind and solar grabbed share. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Reds manager Terry Francona ordered Ferguson to intentionally walk Dominic Canzone to load the bases and face Raleigh, but the decision totally backfired. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Toyota still isn't interested in making a rolling smartphone with a steering wheel attached, an approach which has backfired for other automakers. — New Atlas, 20 July 2026

Arriving at their new studio, Nacksving in Gothenburg, with almost no material prepared, Åkerfeldt committed to writing his songs the night before each recording session, a process which—big surprise—backfired immediately. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026