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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Recent Examples of backfires
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
But the plan backfires because no one who doesn’t personally know Eric and Harper can understand the peculiar strains of ambition and self-destruction that fuel them.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Genuine apologies are necessary at times, but over-apologizing often backfires.
—Erin McGoff, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
Worried about a longtime friend’s memory issues, the letter writer asks a niece to check in one her — which backfires.
—R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … PULLING THE PLUG – Amazon cancels 'Melania' movie screening at cinema after sign backfires.
—FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Early escalation without documentation often backfires.
—Essence, 26 Jan. 2026
That plan almost always backfires, though.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
Too Early Starting seeds indoors is exciting, but doing so too early often backfires.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
But the plan backfires because no one who doesn’t personally know Eric and Harper can understand the peculiar strains of ambition and self-destruction that fuel them.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Genuine apologies are necessary at times, but over-apologizing often backfires.
—Erin McGoff, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
Worried about a longtime friend’s memory issues, the letter writer asks a niece to check in one her — which backfires.
—R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … PULLING THE PLUG – Amazon cancels 'Melania' movie screening at cinema after sign backfires.
—FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Early escalation without documentation often backfires.
—Essence, 26 Jan. 2026
That plan almost always backfires, though.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfires
Verb
-
When borrowing dries up, the scheme collapses.—
Les Rubin,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
In his poems, letters lose limbs, words are mined, and grammar collapses under shelling.—
Alex Averbuch,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately for shareholders, the stock grants come with a feature similar to equity options that somewhat reduces Musk’s payday, especially in a case like the one above where the plan flops.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Nov. 2025
-
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Hartman said the department is in touch with local and state crews regarding the wildfires, who will give them a 24-hour notice if an evacuation at Alligator Alcatraz becomes necessary.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Gillespie County and the rest of the Hill Country is facing an elevated risk of wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.—
Ricardo Delgado,
San Antonio Express-News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Though their frequent backyard bonfires swell with laughter, both Hahnfeld and the Hoffs say one of the most treasured aspects of Bly Road is the silence.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The most fascinating part of Chaharshanbe Suri is the practice of jumping over bonfires—a ritual that involves a chant while leaping over flames to ask the fire to take away woes and offer good health and energy in its place.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfires. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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