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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in forest fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of backfire
Bradley Gitz, arkansasonline.com, 23 Dec. 2024
His instinct—to have a heart-to-heart conversation about how their behavior affected others—has the potential to backfire spectacularly.
—Nik Ershov, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Grant, sometimes such an approach backfires, with Hassan Whiteside over Wade as an example.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backfire 
Verb
Which is also why Bragg's show trial backfired, making Trump a martyr and helping propel him back into the White House (most people don't like politicized justice, and will side with the victims of it, however otherwise unsavory).
—Bradley Gitz, arkansasonline.com, 23 Dec. 2024
His instinct—to have a heart-to-heart conversation about how their behavior affected others—has the potential to backfire spectacularly.
—Nik Ershov, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
Despite your best intentions, your efforts backfire, brewing resentment and leaving you hurt.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Grant, sometimes such an approach backfires, with Hassan Whiteside over Wade as an example.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
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And brands like Geico collapse awareness and conversion, connecting TV ads directly to quotes via on-screen QR codes and Amazon data.Martin Kihn, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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An additional section of I-40 collapsed in December, delaying a planned reopening.USA TODAY Graphics team, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Glomar Explorer then floated over the barge, the cover slid back, and the Capture Vehicle was lifted aboard into the moon pool along with hundreds of squid that flopped about on the deck.David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
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In the weekend’s other big bowl, the Buffaloes flopped.Jayna Bardahl, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Nearly 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate because of the ongoing wildfires.Denise Chow, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
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Advertisement In a separate statement released Thursday, the FAA warned against flying drones near the wildfires.Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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As Christmas trees were incinerated in a giant bonfire in Ogden Dunes, Daina Lattimer and her daughter Vaiva Lattimer, 11, watched.Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
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Some of Wenzel's favorite memories with Megan were made that summer, trying new coffee shops in downtown Waukesha, hiking the Seven Bridges Trail, gazing at the northern lights and hosting bonfires.Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Hope for his survival grew when trash and hiking poles thought to belong to him were found by a river on New Year’s Eve, followed by a campfire, a lighter, a camera and a camera bag on Sunday.Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2025
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Most are accidental, like an unattended campfire or sparks from a powerline.Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near backfire
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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