MISFIRE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

misfire 1 of 2

verb

ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r

Definition of misfire

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

misfire

2 of 2

noun

as in catastrophe

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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 misfire

Verb

Brunson rose for a deep three-pointer that misfired, but Anunoby weaved through traffic and tipped the ball in for a one-point lead to secure the win. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026 The rocket’s upper stage was supposed to fire its engines two times to inject AST’s satellite into the proper orbit, but the stage misfired on the second burn, stranding the payload in a lower-than-planned orbit. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026

Noun

Officials confirmed a misfire without providing details. — ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026 This decision to stop progress on Be Fri came in late 2023, months after Toy Story prequel movie Lightyear was a box office misfire in light of right-wing pundits causing commotion over its same-gender kiss. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misfire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfire

Verb

Though the team failed to advance to the knockout round, its historic run inspired an outpouring of national pride, while uniting Haitians at home and abroad.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Arredondo is charged with 10 counts of endangering students for allegedly failing to quickly respond to the May 24, 2022, shooting, in which 19 students and two teachers were killed.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 14 July 2026

Definition of fail

Noun

For the second year in a row, this quiet Hill Country town is digging itself out of a catastrophe that has mercilessly taken a community trying to heal and set them back on the path of mourning.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Every child identified before a catastrophe reminds us that statistics represent real people.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Verb

In the spring, when animals’ energy stores are low, navigating uncrossable fences can cause pregnant wildlife to miscarry and, over time, result in declining birthrates, the authors wrote.

— Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 June 2026
Hamel became pregnant in October 2025 and miscarried, and her sister became pregnant soon after and also miscarried.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026

Definition of miscarry

Noun

Romy Gonzalez finished the rally with a run-scoring groundout, and in the top of the fifth Contreras wrapped up the scoring with a two-run bomb to the center field bleachers, his 22nd homer of the season.

— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026
Her complaint alleges deputies mishandled a live grenade from a Santa Monica call, brought it to a training center where explosives are banned, and handled it with Lemus, who lacked bomb-squad training.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of bomb

Verb

Because the mayor has not appointed any of the other members, judicial appointments have stalled.

— Christian Browne, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026
For example, Assembly Bill 1942 would have required Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles before stalling in committee.

— Madison Smalstig July 18, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of stall

Noun

Andy Burnham will become the United Kingdom’s seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday, and must face the consequences of a bond market fiasco from three administrations ago.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Now, though, the American team’s customary Round-of-16 exit, the Balogun fiasco and FIFA’s shady past recede as the overriding art of soccer/football/futbol at ts best takes over with a final four for the ages.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Definition of fiasco

Noun

Given Zidane won the Champions League in three successive years as coach of Real Madrid, anything less than victory at the European Championship in 2028 will be considered a failure.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026
At the time he was arrested, authorities had issued a separate warrant for Milton stemming from his failure to appear in court and alleged curfew violations in a retail theft case, court records show.

— Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Definition of failure

Browse Nearby Words

misfeasors

misfire

misfired

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“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfire. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of misfire

verb

noun

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