misfires 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of misfire
as in fails
to go wrong their scheme to rob the bank misfired disastrously and landed them all in jail

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misfires

2 of 2

noun

plural of misfire
as in bombs

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of misfires
Verb
Ackman’s misfires, though, have been offset by some prescient investments in the face of black swan events like the subprime mortgage crisis and COVID, cementing his reputation as one of the shrewdest and most daring risk-takers on Wall Street. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026 But the Raiders organization is rife with quarterback misfires in its recent history. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026 Sig Sauer faces a class action suit over claims that its P320 pistol misfires. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026 And research into why the brain misfires. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026 That optimism may be a bit misguided, considering the history of emerging sports league misfires. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026 The brain misfires on what feels charged or taboo. — Peter White, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026 As Wiener, the show’s curator, walks me through, her narration inevitably turns into a litany of the artist’s almosts, misfires, and losses. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 4 Feb. 2026 There were issues with intake manifold leaks, exhaust manifold cracking, coolant leaks, engine misfires due to corrosion, and water in the spark plug holes. — John Paul, The Providence Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfires
  1. fails
  2. bombs
  3. stalls
  4. flops
  5. miscarries
  6. failures
  7. misses
  8. duds
Verb
  • Witchel, who built physics simulations to predict athletic injury before pivoting to cognitive care, argues that statistical AI fails at the individual level.
    — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • In turn, there is a perception that the endeavor is one big cash grab, one that is not worth the risk of embarrassment if the film fails critically and/or commercially.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 July 2026
Definition of fails
Noun
  • Moscow continues to increase its production of glide bombs, which threaten Ukrainian military positions and terrorize cities close to the frontline—including regional capitals such as Zaporizhzhia or Sumy.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • Russian forces also dropped three powerful glide bombs on an industrial zone in the southern city of Kherson, killing a 56-year-old man, local officials said.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of bombs
Verb
  • Not stalls the standard 12-by-12 feet of other ranches but 14 feet square to give horses more room to move around naturally.
    — Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
  • This process stalls improvements for years.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of stalls
Noun
  • The contoured shape of the flip flops are designed to provide all-day comfort, and the sneaker tread provides a durable grip and long-lasting traction.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Acid hues aren't limited to athletic sneakers or flip flops any more—they're also now on the heels of elegant, tasteful women.
    — Renata Joffre, Glamour, 25 July 2026
Definition of flops
Verb
  • Just after a third pregnancy also miscarries, Aje meets a young woman named Mayra in a hospital waiting room and the two get talking.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Definition of miscarries
Noun
  • Visible failures of short-term extractive logic, whether in business or politics, erode intellectual cover.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Other major El Niño episodes brought crop failures, devastating peatland fires, and prolonged droughts.
    — Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of failures
Verb
  • The wrong provider skips the workup, misses underlying causes and writes prescriptions without proper follow-up bloodwork.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026
  • If Pearsall misses time, bringing back Samuel would follow similar logic.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of misses
Noun
  • Big Tex’s new duds This State Fair of Texas news comes as a full circle moment for Resistol.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
  • Here’s a look, in no particular order, at who will potentially have new duds when the dust settles.
    — The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of duds

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Cite this Entry

“Misfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfires. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on misfires

Nglish: Translation of misfires for Spanish Speakers

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