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
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
To begin with, the company’s unprovoked faceplant was, if nothing else, one of the biggest public relations misfires in recent corporate history.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Tuli Tuipulotu’s rush forced Patrick Mahomes to misfire on a long one.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfire
Verb
The stakes are getting higher by the day for the French Oscar committee, especially after the misfires of the last couple years.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
To begin with, the company’s unprovoked faceplant was, if nothing else, one of the biggest public relations misfires in recent corporate history.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
Sabalenka closed it out on her serve when the big-hitting Anisimova also misfired on her forehand.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Tuli Tuipulotu’s rush forced Patrick Mahomes to misfire on a long one.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfire
Verb
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But Kempes had failed to score at the World Cup four years earlier, and started this tournament slowly.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Water bottles left behind were filled with black urine – a sign of failing kidneys and dehydration.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Saturday was different territory, with a flop against what was supposed to be an overmatched opponent.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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In 1971, Mitchum had a cameo in Monte Hellman’s drive-in classic Two-Lane Blacktop starring James Taylor and Dennis Wilson, and that Mitchum was among the friends of Dennis Hopper (including Peter Fonda and Kris Kristoffrson) invited to Peru to film The Last Movie, a notorious flop.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Kylie noted that the experience of miscarrying her first pregnancy made future pregnancies a challenge for her mentally.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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While all is well for Asher and Archer, Chicago Fire’s premiere brought fans the sad report that Stella had miscarried.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The once-struggling 57-year-old seafood chain had endured an $11 million endless-shrimp fiasco among other mistakes made.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Why an ordinance to sort out vacation fiasco?—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2019, both clubs announced plans to build a new 60,000-seat stadium, though the project stalled due to political opposition and Italy’s heritage regulations, which safeguard historic structures.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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But then, the decrease in the smoking rate stalled.—
Dr. Tom Frieden,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Saints basically made one play on offense, the 87-yard bomb to Rashid Shaheed.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Through the streets of World War I Paris, the bohemian artist attempts to outmaneuver bombs, policemen, girlfriends, and critics in an increasingly desperate search of a home for his art.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Harris bore the brunt of the criticism for the Tigers’ second-half collapse when deadline deals for Charlie Morton and Chris Paddack proved to be duds.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Gordon’s final start of the season was a dud.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The storm also left people trapped in seven vehicles on nearby roads after overflowing creeks caused washouts, deputies said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Because of semaglutide's long washout period, treatment should also be stopped at least two months before a planned pregnancy.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfire. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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