as in to fail
to go wrong
their scheme to rob the bank misfired disastrously and landed them all in jail
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in catastrophe
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misfire
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The Celtics were far less efficient, misfiring on six of their first seven 3-pointers amid a 4-for-15 start.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
With the exception of success under Dan Quinn — success that did not translate to his final game here against Green Bay in the playoffs — the search for former head coaches that brought Mike Nolan, Mike Zimmer and Eberflus to town was a big misfire.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misfire
Verb
While Heinrich ponders the misfiring neurons in the brain of a mass shooter, Jack’s pursuit of Mink—a character whose skin color and ambiguous ethnicity Jack remarks on repeatedly—leads him directly into the urban teeth of the War on Drugs.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The Celtics were far less efficient, misfiring on six of their first seven 3-pointers amid a 4-for-15 start.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
Three years of growth and dedicated time to the craft of basketball counteracted one solitary misfire.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
With the exception of success under Dan Quinn — success that did not translate to his final game here against Green Bay in the playoffs — the search for former head coaches that brought Mike Nolan, Mike Zimmer and Eberflus to town was a big misfire.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfire
Verb
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If Campbell fails, then speculation can fairly begin.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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Just to recap, Dach had the puck in overtime in the neutral zone but failed to gain the red line before flipping the puck down the ice to get a change, being forced to stay on the ice when that puck crossed the Lightning goal line for an icing.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This approach removes the need for bomb bays or underwing pylons.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
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The Kansas City Police Department’s bomb and arson unit is investigating the fire.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Gutierrez had been held hostage alongside two of his nieces, one of whom was three months pregnant and subsequently miscarried.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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Women infected during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, are more likely to miscarry or have a stillbirth.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Detroit Pistons opened the NBA playoffs with a flop.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Spring break season is nearing its end, but before students across the country trade their flip flops for books again, a southern spring break staple is about to kick off.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, was up almost 17% for the week as the peace process between Iran and the United has stalled.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
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So far, there’s more than 42,000 units in the pipeline, but of those projects more than 36,000 units have been stalled.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But that holds about as much promise as Elon Musk’s fiscal fiasco — remember DOGE?—
Jackie Calmes,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Man’s folly of fiascos is a feast for the flies.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The driver was arrested for operating while impaired and failure to stop and identify at a personal injury crash.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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More recently, fans trying to buy tickets for major tours, like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Bruce Springsteen, and Harry Styles have faced sky-high prices, system failures, and a lack of real alternatives.—
Letitia James,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While the weekend isn't looking like a washout, a few rounds of showers are likely across the state.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
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On the other hand, cool‑season sod farmers usually grow Kentucky bluegrass, which germinates slowly compared to other turfgrass species, increasing the risk of washouts.—
Ryan Bearss,
The Conversation,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfire. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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