backfires 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of backfire
as in collapses
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

backfires

2 of 2

noun

plural of backfire
as in forest fires

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backfires
Verb
Many students mistakenly believe selecting an obscure major guarantees an admissions advantage by reducing competition; however, this strategy usually backfires. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Chopper 4 footage showed large flames burning through trees near the turnpike as crews lit backfires—a tactic used to extinguish a wildfire by burning fuel ahead of the approaching fire line. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 19 June 2026 When C-suite talk backfires The very political job of leading a company requires an agile communication style and the ability to quickly tailor language and messaging to meet the moment at hand. — Claire Zillman, Fortune, 28 May 2026 The acting attorney general's attempt to answer those questions backfires. — ABC News, 24 May 2026 Alcohol as a sleep aid backfires by reducing REM sleep and worsening overall sleep quality. — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026 Aggressive grout scrubbing is another well-meaning habit that backfires. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026 As Mars meets resistance from Jupiter, trying to handle everything at once backfires. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026 Back on the boy-toy front, Deborah’s PR stunt backfires both personally and professionally. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfires
  1. collapses
  2. wildfires
  3. flops
  4. bonfires
Verb
  • Then, just as Hawkins manages to get himself out of a particularly dire bunker, Old Henry collapses and dies on the spot.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026
  • Unlike most toppers, which include a cabover alcove, the Wingman collapses down to a basic box for travel.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 July 2026
Definition of collapses
Noun
  • More than 800 wildfires are still burning across Canada, including dozens that are out of control across western Ontario, the source of most of the smoke, AccuWeather said July 17.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 July 2026
  • Poor air quality persisted in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states on Saturday, as smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Minnesota and Canada continued to spread and envelop skylines.
    — Kristin Wright, NPR, 18 July 2026
Definition of wildfires
Verb
  • But when weighed down by the moisture, the grass flops over and doesn't present itself as well to the cutting blade.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 June 2026
  • One of the best bigs in [expletive] basketball history flops.
    — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Definition of flops
Noun
  • The resort features a 2,000-foot private beach for days spent in the sun and evening beach bonfires during the summer.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 18 July 2026
  • The property’s cold-weather setup—with igloos and seasonal programming, like holiday light trails and courtyard bonfires—offers a slower side of Montauk that most summer visitors never see.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Definition of bonfires

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backfired
backfires
backfiring
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Cite this Entry

“Backfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfires. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on backfires

Nglish: Translation of backfires for Spanish Speakers

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