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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfires
Verb
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The next 12 months will determine whether the music industry thrives or collapses under the weight of AI.—
Virginie Berger,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024 -
The bailiff then fires at least six shots and Butler collapses on the ground.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Detroit Free Press,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In Maui, Hawaii, Maui Mall Village hosts the Maui Food Bank Holiday Drive to combat food insecurity, which has been a major local challenge following the wildfires in 2023.—
Kristin Mueller,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Davila explained that the past couple of months have seen minimal precipitation, not only in the Phoenix area but also in the Arizona High Country, including Payson, where one of the two active wildfires is burning.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
The Arizona Republic,
21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The company employs 10 workers and makes 5,000 bonfires a day.—
Eric Noll,
ABC News,
20 Dec. 2024
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Over a million portable bonfires have been sold around the world, and the company has expanded to include s'mores kits in their shop.—
Eric Noll,
ABC News,
20 Dec. 2024
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“Backfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfires. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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