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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in forest fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backfire
Rebecca Pryor, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2025
This week, David Christopher Kaufman explains why Trump’s first shot in the war on woke could backfire.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2024
Red Bull had already rolled the dice with Sergio Pérez, who ran well outside of the points, and seen that backfire with the Mexican driver getting lapped by his teammate.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for backfire 
Verb
The prosecution also called the request a delay tactic, arguing it was made after a seven-month trial postponement for the defense to review evidence — a strategy Morgan said may have backfired.
—Rebecca Pryor, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2025
This week, David Christopher Kaufman explains why Trump’s first shot in the war on woke could backfire.
—airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
Could Neely’s bluntness backfire and further fray the hard feelings that seemingly go back to last year’s arbitration case?
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2024
Red Bull had already rolled the dice with Sergio Pérez, who ran well outside of the points, and seen that backfire with the Mexican driver getting lapped by his teammate.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
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The wealthy were not allowed to simply hoard their wealth, park it in an offshore haven, and escape catastrophe by sailing away from a collapsing society on a superyacht.—
Brian Klaas,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
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The building resembles a doll house after the entire front wall collapsed and exposed the insides of the damaged interior.—
Tareq Al Hilou,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Rangers don't have the best reputation for developing their prospects, but many of the young players that have flopped were homogenous assets that clogged up their organizational pipeline.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
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The Right Stuff Year: 1983 Running time: 3 hours 13 minutes Director: Philip Kaufman Years before Bonfire of the Vanities flopped, Hollywood had a much better time adapting Tom Wolfe, turning his nonfiction book about the Mercury program into a clear-eyed piece of Americana.—
Kevin Lincoln,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And the widespread wildfires in Los Angeles last month could have led consumers there to cut back even further.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2025
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Unprecedented wildfires in California burned over 16,000 homes and structures in January.—
Marie Owens Powell,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Frustration grew among the Palestinians waiting to go north as some warmed around bonfires against the winter cold.—
Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy,
TIME,
27 Jan. 2025
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On New Year’s Eve, Pavlovich, Stout, and Caroline gathered around a bonfire at the Athens home of the musician Michael Stipe, an old friend of Caroline’s.—
Lila Shapiro,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Sharing a chat around the campfire, Irvin points the finger at Helly by suggesting her innie is really her outie.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
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Whether roasting marshmallows, telling campfire stories or simply enjoying the glow of a crackling fire, fire pits make outdoor living cozy and inviting year-round.—
Jené Luciani Sena,
Fox News,
1 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near backfire
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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