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
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 19 May 2025
Neglecting existing customers with existing rates could backfire in a big way.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 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
Trump predictably attacked him, which immediately backfired.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 19 May 2025
Neglecting existing customers with existing rates could backfire in a big way.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 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
-
The legislation wouldn’t have much of an effect on rebuilding after L.A.’s wildfires, as single-family home construction is exempt and Newsom already waived other parts of the law by executive order.—
Liam Dillon,
Los Angeles Times,
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
-
Some of my fondest memories are of making a pour-over around the campfire or canoodling with lovers while waiting for the kettle to heat.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
-
Across the South, there are still camps that lean into the magic of handwritten letters, canoe races, campfire songs, and days so full that phones don’t even cross your mind.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share