as in to collapse
to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect
my plan to throw her a surprise party backfired when she ended up thinking that everyone had forgotten her birthday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in forest fire
Related 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 backfire
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
When has being outspoken backfired for you in any way?
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026
Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
This can cause the airflow to slow down, stagnate, or even reverse, potentially resulting in backfire-like sounds and visible flames from the engine inlet or exhaust.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Verb
But banking on the same outcome in court could backfire, Kim said.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
When has being outspoken backfired for you in any way?
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Parsons was asked on Tuesday, ahead of Thursday night’s Packers-Commanders tilt at Lambeau Field, about picking your spots when rushing against Daniels, given his ability to make an overzealous rush plan backfire by escaping the pocket.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
This can cause the airflow to slow down, stagnate, or even reverse, potentially resulting in backfire-like sounds and visible flames from the engine inlet or exhaust.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
-
Abstract governance debates collapse when basic participation and revenue data are examined.—
Michael Fealey,
Sportico.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Or that there is a wild proliferation of parallel universes, or that a mysterious process causes quantumness to spontaneously collapse.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Tengden said the aircraft is designed for reconnaissance, precision strikes, communications relay, emergency rescue, and forest fire prevention.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Dec. 2025
-
The forest fire sequence is a good example.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the field, Harry Truman’s Approval Rating whinnied and tossed its head, and Richard Nixon’s Approval Rating flopped on one side and emitted a horrible gurgle.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
-
While Cort earned his accolades, the film received mixed reviews upon release and flopped at the box office.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Finding human fingerprints on disasters The study, confirming what had been widely suspected, brings the first scientific assessment of global warming’s role in intensifying some of the most serious wildfire emergencies to grip Chile and Argentina in years.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Pratt’s book traces his infamous career as a reality television star and more recent turn — after losing his house a year ago in the Palisades wildfire — as a high-profile critic of state and local government officials.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s always a huge bonfire to warm up by, as well as a beer garden, various food trucks and tables featuring local vendors and nonprofit organizations selling delicious treats.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Here, a festive bonfire, live music and á la carte access to the restaurant’s full food and bar menu (including the Mongolian BBQ) await.—
Shauna Farnell,
Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Their savior, a late-40s man travelling alone, welcomed them to join him at his campfire.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Those sentiments are shared by San Diego Symphony President and CEO Martha Gilmer, who playfully invoked a children’s campfire music favorite known to several generations of Girl Scouts.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
