as in collapses
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
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 backfires
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026 However, his fast talking backfires when he’s called to take part in the fight instead because of the annoyance he’s caused. —Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026 If logistics fail, traffic becomes unmanageable or the fan experience is poor, this high-profile endorsement backfires. —Tim Derdenger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026 Continue reading … MUSICAL MAYHEM — First-ever Final Four concert backfires as fans rip NCAA over game delays. —FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026 There are a lot of studies that show that cultivating any emotional state — happiness in particular, but also calmness or lack of anxiety — actually backfires. —Keith Wagstaff, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026 Taking away something a child is playing with usually backfires as well. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 2 Apr. 2026 Gavin Newsom loves to brag about his accomplishments as governor — a syndrome that sometimes backfires when reality raises its ugly head. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026 Needless to say each backfires spectacularly. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
The system can also be triggered by sounds like fireworks, car backfires or construction noise and has been criticized for focusing police attention on low-income communities with non-white residents. —Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026 However, his fast talking backfires when he’s called to take part in the fight instead because of the annoyance he’s caused. —Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026 If logistics fail, traffic becomes unmanageable or the fan experience is poor, this high-profile endorsement backfires. —Tim Derdenger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026 Continue reading … MUSICAL MAYHEM — First-ever Final Four concert backfires as fans rip NCAA over game delays. —FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026 There are a lot of studies that show that cultivating any emotional state — happiness in particular, but also calmness or lack of anxiety — actually backfires. —Keith Wagstaff, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026 Taking away something a child is playing with usually backfires as well. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 2 Apr. 2026 Gavin Newsom loves to brag about his accomplishments as governor — a syndrome that sometimes backfires when reality raises its ugly head. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026 Needless to say each backfires spectacularly. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfires
Verb
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But measurement collapses this superposition, yielding one definitive outcome.— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 21 Apr. 2026
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Like a proto-Christopher Nolan film, Raphael collapses the second into the minute into the day, and then doubles the scene over itself through a reflection in water.— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fortunately for shareholders, the stock grants come with a feature similar to equity options that somewhat reduces Musk’s payday, especially in a case like the one above where the plan flops.— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2025
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Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.— Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Officials said Lopez played a key leadership role during recent wildfires, helping coordinate crews to ensure schools had proper air filtration systems in place.— City News Service, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
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Nearly 94% of the Southeast region is experiencing severe to exceptional drought, with the most extreme conditions centered in southern Georgia and northern Florida, where most of the wildfires are.— Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Many of them have ended in chaos, including arrests, a bloody head wound from an LAPD projectile, bonfires of garbage and ricocheting fireworks.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
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Evenings, enjoy live music, beach bonfires, and a Junkanoo-style street parade.— Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backfires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/backfires. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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