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
In New York, efforts by billionaires to defeat a democratic socialist mayoral candidate backfired spectacularly.
—
Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Just don't try anything like these pranks from companies that backfired in spectacular ways.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Indeed, attempts to muffle criticism have backfired, some observers believe.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Whatever public relations win executives were expecting backfired when the research began to spill out to the public.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
But that strategy has dramatically backfired, propelling the aging franchise closer to the brink of the point of no return.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Republicans are increasingly pointing fingers at FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr as an unlikely factor reshaping the Texas Senate race, warning his aggressive posture toward broadcasters may have backfired and put a once-reliable GOP seat into play.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
But McNamara’s strategy ultimately backfired.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Officials determined that the noise came from a car that backfired, high school principal, Larissa Santos, and middle school principal, Eric Eiswert, said in a statement.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Just don't try anything like these pranks from companies that backfired in spectacular ways.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Indeed, attempts to muffle criticism have backfired, some observers believe.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Whatever public relations win executives were expecting backfired when the research began to spill out to the public.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
But that strategy has dramatically backfired, propelling the aging franchise closer to the brink of the point of no return.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Republicans are increasingly pointing fingers at FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr as an unlikely factor reshaping the Texas Senate race, warning his aggressive posture toward broadcasters may have backfired and put a once-reliable GOP seat into play.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
But McNamara’s strategy ultimately backfired.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Officials determined that the noise came from a car that backfired, high school principal, Larissa Santos, and middle school principal, Eric Eiswert, said in a statement.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfired
Verb
-
Some players collapsed onto the turf in joyful tears.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Estrada Juarez collapsed into her daughter’s embrace.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After beating Atlanta last Friday without Jaylen Brown and Charlotte on Sunday without Brown and Derrick White, Boston flopped in a rematch with the Hawks, losing 112-102 without a crew of contributors headlined by a resting Jayson Tatum.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But that effort has flopped, because the SAVE America Act doesn't have the votes to pass in the Senate.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those lower judges eventually rejected his arguments, and Reed boomeranged back to the justices.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The wild part is how quickly that creator theme boomeranged back at us in real time.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
16 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfired. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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