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
Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
However, Leila’s plan backfires, turning her into the latest enrollee.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2025
The attempt has sparked debate, however, over the possibility of what’s often called a dummymander, in which a gerrymander backfires.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
When a truck backfires on the street outside her office, a colleague is spooked, but Ziva stays perfectly calm — a moment that gains added importance soon enough.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 4 Sep. 2025
But Fukuyama warned that getting too close to political figures often backfires.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
Showing Up’s potentially myopic perspective contrasts significantly from Reichardt’s Night Moves, a film about radical white environmental activists whose designs of blowing up a dam backfires, causing their inept leader Josh (Jesse Eisenberg) to erratically cover his tracks.
—Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
However, Leila’s plan backfires, turning her into the latest enrollee.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2025
The attempt has sparked debate, however, over the possibility of what’s often called a dummymander, in which a gerrymander backfires.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
When a truck backfires on the street outside her office, a colleague is spooked, but Ziva stays perfectly calm — a moment that gains added importance soon enough.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 4 Sep. 2025
But Fukuyama warned that getting too close to political figures often backfires.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfires
Verb
-
When the ceiling collapses in her Montauk apartment, she’s forced to move to a bleak low-rent motel.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
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Ares instead collapses the two, transporting technology from the other universe—like the light cycle, a futuristic motorcycle that’s become a franchise icon—onto real-world streets.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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At one point, Alex comes over to recheck his map and, seeing Rizo attempt to analyze his work, flops over on the puzzle, causing Rizo to pause.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Developed in collaboration with firefighters and landowners, Seneca claims its scalable aerial units will redefine how wildfires are detected, controlled, and contained in an era of growing climate risk.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Oct. 2025
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Cattle farmers have urged lawmakers to support legislation aimed at reducing the risk of wildfires.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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When the sun began to set, fireworks, bonfires, and candles were lit throughout the city.—
Victoria Flexner,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
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Candlelight celebrations, bonfires, and ofrenda decorating occupy the night.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfires. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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