as in failed
to go wrong
their scheme to rob the bank misfired disastrously and landed them all in jail
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Recent Examples of misfired
The Mavericks were unable to execute on the final play of the game as Khris Middleton misfired on a pass intended for Flagg, leading to the Mavericks’ fifth straight loss — a 115-114 decision at Kia Center.
—
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
After George misfired on a long-range shot for Utah, Grimes converted both free throws after being fouled.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Instead, Donovan Atwell, who was 4-of-13 from 3 misfired from the corner with six seconds remaining and Tech still down 3.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
The forward had a chance to send the game into overtime, but misfired on a potential buzzer-beating heave at the end of regulation.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Even if the Rams had scored with, say, 90 seconds to go instead of 38 seconds, because a blitz misfired, at least Carolina would have had time to try for a tying field goal and send the game into OT.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Others misfired when momentum reversed, financing dried up or leverage cut the wrong way.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
White misfired on his first four shots, but Pritchard was highly involved early, scoring or assisting on six of the Celtics’ first seven made baskets.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Prescott misfired to wideout George Pickens with Moss in coverage at the Dallas 44.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
After George misfired on a long-range shot for Utah, Grimes converted both free throws after being fouled.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Instead, Donovan Atwell, who was 4-of-13 from 3 misfired from the corner with six seconds remaining and Tech still down 3.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
The forward had a chance to send the game into overtime, but misfired on a potential buzzer-beating heave at the end of regulation.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Even if the Rams had scored with, say, 90 seconds to go instead of 38 seconds, because a blitz misfired, at least Carolina would have had time to try for a tying field goal and send the game into OT.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Others misfired when momentum reversed, financing dried up or leverage cut the wrong way.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
White misfired on his first four shots, but Pritchard was highly involved early, scoring or assisting on six of the Celtics’ first seven made baskets.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Prescott misfired to wideout George Pickens with Moss in coverage at the Dallas 44.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfired
Verb
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The legislation, known as a war powers resolution, failed on a 47-53 vote tally.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
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But Ward’s effort to revive his program last year failed to pass the Assembly appropriations committee.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical chokepoint for oil shipments, has effectively stalled as the threat of attacks from Iran deterred vessels from passing through the waterway.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
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The company first unveiled its Typ-1 electric vehicle concept in 2007 and began an initial production attempt in 2009, which later stalled.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cillíní were reserved for babies who were stillborn, miscarried, or died at birth without having been baptized.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Around the same time the following year, Hayley miscarried.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misfired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfired. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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