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
Synonyms & Similar 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
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
That stunt backfired for the alderman, who ran for mayor in last month’s city election.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Should Trump’s tariff scheme backfire completely by causing a recession or worse, their reputations as risk managers and complex-systems thinkers would naturally be tarnished (see: Bill Ackman).
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Verb
Heat culture is kind of backfiring on the Heat, because front offices know Heat players play best in the Heat system, so Heat players have less value.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
That stunt backfired for the alderman, who ran for mayor in last month’s city election.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Noun
What feels like regaining control — through guilt induction or exaggerated emotions — actually backfires, pushing the partner away.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Should Trump’s tariff scheme backfire completely by causing a recession or worse, their reputations as risk managers and complex-systems thinkers would naturally be tarnished (see: Bill Ackman).
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
-
The security perimeter collapses, and the risk increases exponentially.—
Craig Davies,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
And the fact that talks have not yet collapsed is an indication that the U.S. may be considering this red line.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
The company’s attempt at an autonomous vehicle also flopped.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
29 May 2025
-
The musical famously flopped upon its 1988 Broadway debut, closing after just 68 performances.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
The removal of fire debris is months ahead of schedule LA is approaching the five-month mark since January's wildfires killed 30 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, many of them homes.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
2 June 2025
-
Thousands of people have evacuated their homes across parts of the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where officials have declared a state of emergency and crews are working to contain dozens of out-of-control wildfires.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
And speaking of deliciousness, a bonfire dinner on Calico’s deck easily closes the deal on a great day on the cay.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
The last day of the shoot was by the bonfire, and all of that was put together from the junkyard.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Summer is the season for gathering around campfires to make gooey, chocolatey s'mores.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 June 2025
-
As school lets out and mornings are made for trail runs, the evening stretches on endlessly with time for mountain bike rides, dinner outside, and catching the sun set around a campfire.—
The Editors,
Outside Online,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share