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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of backfire
Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2024
Although none of the decisions were as dramatically disastrous as UM’s failure to take a knee to end a certain victory last season, some of the choices Miami coach Mario Cristobal made backfired.
—Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2024
Gretchen Hansen, EW.com, 18 Sep. 2024
Their plan backfires, caterwauling them into paranoia and panic with each suspecting the others of malfeasance.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backfire 
Verb
So, keeping quiet at work but being loud on social media during your time off might also backfire.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2024
Although none of the decisions were as dramatically disastrous as UM’s failure to take a knee to end a certain victory last season, some of the choices Miami coach Mario Cristobal made backfired.
—Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
Jim's prank backfires, however, when Dwight's impassioned speech is a big hit with his audience.
—Gretchen Hansen, EW.com, 18 Sep. 2024
Their plan backfires, caterwauling them into paranoia and panic with each suspecting the others of malfeasance.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
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As other projects have collapsed, had internal fighting, rug pulls, liquidity issues, legal troubles, and more, the Bitcoin community has sat back with a quiet confidence that no other project could match.Nimrod Lehavi, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
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The blaze collapsed the cathedral’s spire and spread to one of its rectangular towers.Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The film earned mostly negative reviews and flopped at the box office with $58 million domestically and $206 million worldwide, a far cry from the 2019 original’s $1 billion gross.Zack Sharf, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
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This past weekend, McCord led the Orangemen over the Miami Hurricanes in a major upset while Ohio State....once again flopped against Michigan.Don Yaeger, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The City of Malibu warned residents to prepare for potential wildfires, power outages, hazardous roads and malfunctioning traffic signals.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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Poor air quality from wildfires, vehicle exhaust, factories, and other sources takes a toll on lung health—but mounting research suggests that breathing unhealthy air can also put people at a greater risk of developing autoimmune diseases.Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Activities ranged from yoga classes and forest hikes with the resident goats to watercolor painting, s’mores bonfires, and artisanal honey tastings that perfectly captured the upstate vibe.Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024
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The event include ice sculptures, a bonfire, food trucks, a Special Olympics Polar Plunge and live music.Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The sleek device is programmed with 20 sounds, some of which include white noise, rain, birds, a campfire, and waves.Toni Sutton, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
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Coleman Portable Camping Chair Stay comfortable sitting around the campfire with this camping chair.Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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