back·fire
ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r 
backfired; backfiring; backfires
1
: to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect
their plans backfired
2
: to make or undergo a backfire
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
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
Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 17 May 2024
The plan majorly backfired, with women taking to TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) to talk about just how offensive Bumble’s new ad campaign was to them.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backfire 
Verb
Turbulent skies ahead for new consumer protections At least one of the rules may backfire, warn travel experts.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 17 May 2024
The plan majorly backfired, with women taking to TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) to talk about just how offensive Bumble’s new ad campaign was to them.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backfire
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backfire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near backfire
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backfire. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 verb1
: to make a backfire
2
: to have a result opposite to what was planned
their plans backfired
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