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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Even classic color duos can misfire if they’re not thought through. — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026 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

Noun

Apologies for the misfire earlier! — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 8 June 2026 There was a lot of concern about celebrity intrusions taking the focus off the players and game, and the Zac Brown misfire was everything fans feared and then some. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for misfire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfire

Verb

Integrators who fail to capture this recurring subscription layer may risk losing clients to IT-native MSPs.

— Robert Messer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The accords failed to stop the war, creating a frozen conflict with an ever-rising human toll that ultimately gave way to a full-scale invasion.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of fail

Noun

More than 1,000 people have been confirmed dead and thousands remain missing after the catastrophe, according to authorities in both countries.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
As the story moves breathlessly through the neighborhood’s streets and interiors, Kodeih, who also edited the feature, and cinematographer Tony Kopec zero in on a jumpy, kinetic tension between looming catastrophe and potential triumph.

— Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Verb

The Cincinnati Bengals player, 31, and his wife announced in a joint Instagram post on Friday, July 17, that their baby, a boy, miscarried at 16 weeks.

— Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
Two years later, in May 2025, Andrews recorded an emotional episode on the same day her surrogate miscarried.

— Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of miscarry

Noun

On the final play of the game, Underwood found space and gave his receivers time to get downfield before heaving a bomb that ended up sailing just out the back of the end zone.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Marshall in the first half also connected on another bomb, this one a 47-yard pass up the middle to Middle Tennessee transfer Nahzae Cox.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of bomb

Verb

Peace efforts to end Russia's 4½-year full-scale invasion have stalled, with the issue of territorial concessions in eastern Ukraine among the central sticking points.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
After rallying from a 21-0 deficit to cut Buffalo’s lead to 34-24, the Lions' offense stalled midway through the fourth quarter.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of stall

Noun

But Bama followed with a 38-3 quarterfinal flop to Indiana, erasing any momentum and placing DeBoer squarely under the microscope entering a pivotal third season.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
But at the time, the latter was a major flop that was panned by notable critics such as Pauline Kael.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of flop

Noun

The wedding invitation fiasco comes just days after Kelce opened up about his and Swift’s special day.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 25 Aug. 2026
Though the reason for Marte’s initial absence remains unknown publicly — the Diamondbacks were so blindsided by it that he was scratched only minutes before Monday’s game — the team seemed eager to move on from the fiasco.

— Marc Carig, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of fiasco

Noun

Their failure to receive one may be attributed to their having vague symptoms, such as a general feeling of malaise, weakness, or fluctuating muscle pain.

— Jerome Groopman, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Compounding the issue was UM’s failure to get to the quarterback.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of failure

Browse Nearby Words

misfeasors

misfire

misfired

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfire. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of misfire

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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