MIS-FIRES Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

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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misfires

2 of 2

noun

plural of misfire

as in bombs

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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

Pollsters approach this year’s midterm elections dogged by high-profile misfires in recent elections while facing challenges from brash rivals intent on reshaping the landscape of political forecasts. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 An agent that misfires books the wrong shipment or approves the wrong invoice. — Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Kennedy misfires Many of Kennedy's claims so far on autism have not withstood scientific scrutiny. — Amanda Seitz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfires

Verb

Overrun with puzzling plot points, several cameos and a bloated supporting cast, the series fails to stick the landing.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
However, net job creation fails to account for the need to replace retiring workers, Sigelman says.

— Itzel Franco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of fails

Noun

The defense electronics and arms manufacturer’s products, including high explosive tank shells and 500-pound bombs, have been traced to the scene of multiple Israeli strikes that killed civilians, according to analysis by CNN and rights groups.

— Allegra Goodwin, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Rather, such groups, exploiting the perception of women as less of a security threat, primarily saw women’s active role in offensive operations as that of a conveyor of bombs.

— Sara Harmouch, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of bombs

Noun

Finally, Vic gives up on being wheelbarrowed and full-body flops on the floor with only their feet under the velvet rope.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
But after Annapurna moved from financing its movies to distributing them in 2017, costs rose, flops piled up, and Megan Ellison scaled back her ambitions.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of flops

Noun

The disclosure could deepen scrutiny of the security failures surrounding the flight after officials revealed the Omani co-pilot had previously been barred from flying in his home country over concerns about his extremist views.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
But let’s also be clear that the General Assembly shares responsibility for the failures.

— Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of failures

Verb

Imagine a fall-detection system that fails at night, a workplace safety monitor that misses a crucial action or a robot that misunderstands what a person is doing because it’s never seen that exact interaction before.

— Bo Wang, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
If Hall misses time, Braelon Allen is expected to take over as the starting running back.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of misses

Noun

Visitors looking to load up their carry-on with designer duds will find an abundance of department stores and luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Dover Street Market just a stone’s throw away.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
Some of the past winners have turned out to be total sales duds.

— Jamie L. LaReau, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of duds

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“Misfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfires. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of misfires

verb

noun

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