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
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
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Any attempt to impose rigor and order on them tends to backfire in some unexpected way anyway.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025
Nik Ershov, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Why America Has Failed to Forge an Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire
Pressuring belligerents to talk rarely works—and sometimes backfires.
—Michael W. Manulak, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backfire
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Verb
The decision immediately backfired as the ball came right back to him.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Any attempt to impose rigor and order on them tends to backfire in some unexpected way anyway.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
Use Blame Language Using blame language, even when justified, inevitably backfires.
—Nik Ershov, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Why America Has Failed to Forge an Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire
Pressuring belligerents to talk rarely works—and sometimes backfires.
—Michael W. Manulak, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backfire
Cite this Entry
“Backfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backfire. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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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