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
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
Cut unnecessary costs Cutting costs is crucial in a recession but slashing the wrong expenses can backfire.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Jenny Anderson, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
Use Blame Language Using blame language, even when justified, inevitably backfires.
—Nik Ershov, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Verb
But others advise lying lower for a while, anticipating Trump’s unpopular actions will backfire on Republicans and the political winds will shift in their favor.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
Cut unnecessary costs Cutting costs is crucial in a recession but slashing the wrong expenses can backfire.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
An abundance of other research confirms that nagging backfires.
—Jenny Anderson, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
Use Blame Language Using blame language, even when justified, inevitably backfires.
—Nik Ershov, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfire
Verb
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However, the deal collapsed when Trump accused Maduro of stalling the repatriation process, leading his administration to reinstate harsh sanctions, including revoking oil giant Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela and imposing a 25% tariff on Venezuelan crude and gas exports.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2025
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The defense that started so well last season collapsed when Billings joined Brisker on the sidelines.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kraven the Hunter — Sony Marvel’s box office flop starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Russell Crowe — arrives on Netflix this week.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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Gaga played Harley Quinn in the DC movie, which flopped at the box office and was panned by critics.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA TODAY,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Due date for individuals and businesses affected by wildfires and straight-line winds in southern California that began on January 7, 2025.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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An unusually large wildfire rampaged through southeast Miami-Dade this week.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The next year, during Soundgarden, the audience tore down part of the wooden fence surrounding the theater and lit bonfires across the lawn.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
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Some families fete the eve of the main festival day with religious ceremonies and bonfires.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC News,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Seven years later, the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina's history ignited and burned more than 10,600 acres in Table Rock State Park after a campfire grew out of control.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
25 Mar. 2025
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Air Pollution Air pollution comes from vehicle exhaust, factories, wildfires, and smoke from wood stoves, campfires, or charcoal grills.8 To reduce exposure:9 Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) with resources like AirNow.—
Jurairat J. Molina,
Verywell Health,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfire. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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