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

So far, Trump’s pressure has backfired in Canada, strengthening support for Carney rather than forcing concessions. — Rob Gillies, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

The stray remark backfired for Stamos, who received online attacks for being dismissive of the show. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Government's efforts to protect consumers backfire Our healthcare reporter reveals how a government fix to help consumers avoid surprise medical bills may have backfired and end up costing consumers much higher insurance premiums. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

In fact, researchers found sanctions have at times backfired by fracturing opposition and boosting support for the regime – even among moderate opponents of the government. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

But the Vuelta a España’s hiring of a female influencer, whose social media content centers on flirting with male strangers, has backfired badly. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Humphrey, despite being celebrated by legal experts as a landmark ruling, backfired, said Stephanie Campos-Bui, a policy researcher from UC Berkeley who tracked the decision’s rollout. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Attempts to prevent the march backfired, broadening the movement. — Aqil Shah, Time, 17 Aug. 2026

Maybe green mana only backfired on the initial spell, but residual energy processed as planned. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026