backfire

1 of 2

verb

back·​fire ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r 

backfired; backfiring; backfires

intransitive verb

1

: to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect

their plans backfired

2

: to make or undergo a backfire

backfire

2 of 2

noun

1

: a loud noise caused by the improperly timed explosion of fuel mixture in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine

2

: a fire started to check an advancing fire by clearing an area

Synonyms

Verb

• boomerang

Examples of backfire in a Sentence

Verb

my plan to throw her a surprise party backfired when she ended up thinking that everyone had forgotten her birthday

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Bank industry leaders warn, however, that the cap could backfire on the most vulnerable bank customers, who rely on overdraft protection to keep them solvent. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

Though her phrasing may have been harsh, the underlying message resonates—celebrity endorsements often fail to sway voters and typically backfire. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

Noun

In addition, though Campbell’s risks have paid off almost all season, could his fourth-down strategy backfire in the postseason? —Andrew Greif, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024

Despite your best intentions, your efforts backfire, brewing resentment and leaving you hurt. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

backfire

1 of 2 noun

back·​fire -ˌfī(ə)r 

1

: a fire that is set to check the spread of a forest fire or a grass fire by burning off a strip of land ahead of it

2

: a loud noise caused by the improperly timed explosion of fuel in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine

backfire

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make a backfire

2

: to have a result opposite to what was planned

their plans backfired