Synonyms of backfires

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapses
• flops
• boomerangs
• struggles
• wanes
• flunks
• flounders
• slips
• folds
• slumps
• washes out
• declines

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeeds
• thrives
• flourishes
• prospers

backfires

2 of 2

noun

plural of backfire

as in forest fires

Related Words

• forest fires
• wildfires
• brush fires
• bonfires
• campfires
• conflagrations
• blazes
• infernos
• holocausts
• arsons
• flare-ups

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backfires

Verb

Boston Bruins The Bruins have an average at best roster and farm system, and trying to win while rebuilding on the fly is something that usually backfires more often than leading to a contending team. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

But, sure enough, the wish backfires as Nikki is driven completely insane by her love for him. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026

Continue reading … WORD PROBLEMS — El-Sayed's threat against GOP rival backfires as conservatives bring receipts. — FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Shift From Providing Answers To Developing Leaders One challenge was learning that expertise alone doesn't create lasting impact and ultimately backfires as the scope and scale of responsibility grow. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

But a brand that states its conclusion boldly without backing it up may find that the same trick backfires. — Matthew Pittman, The Conversation, 17 July 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