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

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfires

Verb

Like eyes, ears and lungs, a person can live a relatively normal and active life if one organ in the natural set fails.

— Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2026
Kick the can If Congress fails to act, payments are expected to be 22% lower, which could be devastating for the millions of seniors who rely on their Social Security benefits to pay for basic necessities.

— Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fails

Noun

Biden raised troop levels there to about 100,000, backed by seven fighter squadrons, six destroyers, and roughly 100 nuclear gravity bombs.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Four Russian glide bombs destroyed a sorting center belonging to the postal service Nova Poshta in the northern Sumy region, and a drone smashed one of its depots in the Kyiv region, the company said.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of bombs

Noun

Bond yields are steady this morning after the Treasury’s debt buyback plan flops.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Finish the look off with an elevated sandal like these minimalist flip flops from Dolce Vita or with feminine Mary Janes like Carel’s iconic Kina, and a statement bag like the Tommy from Staud.

— Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of flops

Noun

Summary The Lindsay Clancy case, involving postpartum psychosis, highlights critical gaps in maternal health support and systemic failures.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Fifty years on, these songs capture the feelings and failures not of Los Angeles but of America, too.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of failures

Verb

Yes, Thom is in the cult, or at the very least, Riders of the Afterlife–curious, a development that doesn’t track at all but does give him another opportunity to express that he’s broken and misses his dad.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
If Tyson misses sigificant time and the Saints offense takes a leap, Olave could have an even higher ceiling.

— Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 26 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 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of misfires

verb

noun

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