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

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

Verb

My memory fails me, what happened in the postseason last season?

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
When an individual is sued by a debt collector and fails to appear, the individual loses the option to negotiate.

— Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of fails

Noun

Russia also launched glide bombs and drones of various types at the regional capital, according to the head of regional administration, Oleh Hryhorov.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, Jason and Megan Showers, ages 45 and 38, are charged with one count of placing explosives near property and one count of possession of bombs with unlawful intent.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of bombs

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

Noun

The suit alleges that several key components of hospital protocol were ignored or improperly followed and that those failures directly contributed to the actor’s death.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
The failures of England’s previous generations were multi-faceted, but how much did the national culture feed into the acceptance of their behaviour?

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of failures

Verb

His fastball only sits around 92-93, maybe 94 on a good day, but his funky delivery adds deception and misses bats.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
An organization can grow without actually scaling to match, and if leadership misses that gap, things can run aground fast.

— Richard Neal, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of misses

Noun

Regular-season sked out mid-August will reveal Giannis’ for-real home unveiling, plus first visits by LeBron as a 76er and Tyler Herro in Milwaukee duds.

— Greg Cote August 2, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of duds

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“Misfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfires. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of misfires

verb

noun

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