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
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
Needless to say each backfires spectacularly.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfires
Verb
-
Trump has alluded to this possible dearth of popular support when asked about the possibility of backing Pahlavi to lead the country if the regime collapses.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
-
That argument collapses under the slightest scrutiny.—
Randy Linville,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 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
-
Lara, who has been asked to step down by critics over his handling of insurers’ claims practices, has defended the task force and his handling of the wildfires, noting his department is investigating insurers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Around 85 percent of the wildfires that start on National Forest land are human-caused, and 78 percent of those are sparked within a half-mile of a road.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Evenings became the anchor of the trip, with bonfires, stargazing, and celebrations that brought everyone together despite the wide age spread.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Although violence has occasionally occurred at the beach, a popular hangout near LAX known for large parties and bonfires, the surrounding area has had lower violent-crime rates, historically, than other parts of the city.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfires. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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