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
Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
In July 1998, Victoria Keenan and her son Jason were driving near a white supremacist compound in northern Idaho when the car backfired or stalled.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 25 Apr. 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 watering down safe Republican seats in a tough year for the incumbent party, could backfire, some have predicted.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
In July 1998, Victoria Keenan and her son Jason were driving near a white supremacist compound in northern Idaho when the car backfired or stalled.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 25 Apr. 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
-
At Yale University, a committee of professors wanted to know why public trust in higher education had collapsed.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
But after that decent start, their form collapsed.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Doñana has not had a forest fire in nearly a decade.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Under Cook, the company has become less surprising but massively financially successful; some of Apple’s newer products have flopped or underperformed, but far more have become and stayed excellent thanks to years of competent iteration.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Large blooms can cause shoots to flop.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Caruso owns several iconic Southern California destinations, such as the Grove and Palisades Village, which is scheduled to reopen this summer after last year’s wildfires.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Then, have the government be accountable in maintaining wildland to prevent major wildfires, Mahan said.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beach bonfires are now banned along the Outer Banks due to the worsening drought in North Carolina.—
Mark Price
April 23,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Take a dip in the 100-foot-long Caliza Pool, stroll the elevated boardwalk in the nature preserve, have a meal at the bright and airy Fonville Press, and then head to Inlet Beach Regional Access to unwind by a bonfire in the evening.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The film opens with Jason resting near a campfire alongside his horse — a horse named Travis, after his brother.—
Ryan Brennan
April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Plot Behind ‘The Last True Cold One’ The film opens on Jason resting by a campfire next to his horse, who happens to share a name with his brother Travis.—
Ryan Brennan
April 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
