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
Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 4 Sep. 2025
But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2025
But Fukuyama warned that getting too close to political figures often backfires.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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 just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 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
-
If the restructuring collapses, those investors can pull their money—a potentially catastrophic blow for a company planning to burn through $115 billion by 2029.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
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East Chicago city cameras appear to show the two men in an argument before Ramirez collapses.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Wildfire worries With the worsening drought comes worries over wildfires.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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The plant can also be affected by wildfires.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Campfire Song At Rusty’s Lakeside Pub in Scottsville, Kentucky, with the cooler weather, everyone is ready for football, jeans, and bonfires.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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At the time that Lauryn and Owen began dating, both parents approved of the other's child and enjoyed traveling to sports matches together and bonding afterward over bonfires.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfires. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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