Synonyms of backfiring

backfiring

verb

present participle of backfire

as in collapsing

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

• collapsing
• flopping
• boomeranging
• struggling
• slipping
• folding
• floundering
• flunking
• waning
• slumping
• washing out
• declining

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• succeeding
• flourishing
• thriving
• prospering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backfiring

This aggressive legal action is backfiring, as consumers perceive the large chain as bullying a smaller, beloved brand. — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Some fashion retailers‘ efforts to reduce the higher import costs are backfiring. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 23 June 2026

Djokovic, meanwhile, tried to shorten points by hitting drop shots of his own, but the tactic kept backfiring, with Prižmić able to chase them down and fire away winners. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 May 2026

The president’s attacks and threats on Fed policymakers themselves are also backfiring. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026

The overconfidence of the pro-Trump push in country music pre- and postelection is backfiring on many of its most enthusiastic emissaries. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026

Red Lobster's push to lure diners with cheap deals may be backfiring, with one retail expert warning the strategy could be attracting the wrong customer as losses continue to mount. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Maura Healey, posing with a powerful weapon in her hands, joins a long list of pols whose political pandering to hunters and gun owners could end up backfiring. — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026

But, more than that, there’s a danger for the governor of this advertising campaign backfiring. — Larry Wilson, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026