backfired

verb

past tense of backfire
as in collapsed
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

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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 backfired The firm had accumulated sizable stakes in AI infrastructure companies while betting against software stocks, a strategy that backfired as software shares rallied and AI hardware names slumped. — Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 But that plan backfired and has succeeded only in drawing attention to the 18 dead Americans. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026 Then the team didn’t make any serious additions at the 2024 deadline even though the Twins were contending for a wild-card spot, a decision that backfired when a club that was 70-53 collapsed, losing 29 of 41 games and missing the playoffs. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 But Beijing’s pressure backfired by instigating broader public support for her leadership. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026 This strategy helped her and also backfired with a firm that did not want to humanize the process. — John M. O'Connor, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Previous leadership had bet on returning GE to its industrial roots via equipment for gas, steam, and other forms of power generation, but the pivot backfired as energy demand fell short and wind and solar grabbed share. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 July 2026 Reds manager Terry Francona ordered Ferguson to intentionally walk Dominic Canzone to load the bases and face Raleigh, but the decision totally backfired. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 Toyota still isn't interested in making a rolling smartphone with a steering wheel attached, an approach which has backfired for other automakers. — New Atlas, 20 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfired
  1. collapsed
  2. flopped
  3. boomeranged
Verb
  • Although the market has adapted and prices have remained relatively low considering the historic supply shock during the war, that’s in large part because demand for oil collapsed and China drew down its massive oil stockpiles.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But he was forced to apologize after his plans to form a subsidiary to run the tournament, which would have opened the door for investors to buy stakes of up to ​20% in a spinout firm, collapsed after widespread backlash across the sport.
    — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapsed
Verb
  • The left is still on the verge of historic wins in Michigan (though Kyle Blomquist, the Democratic Socialists of America’s candidate, flopped in the mostly rural 1st District, where Republicans are favored to win in November).
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • For Stearns, trades that were well regarded at last year’s deadline almost universally flopped, as did January’s acquisition of Freddy Peralta.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of flopped
Verb
  • Today, Netanyahu’s boast has boomeranged, transformed from an electoral asset into an advertisement of his diminished influence.
    — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
  • Mary, our thirtysomething narrator, has recently boomeranged back to her hometown (York) after experiencing a break with reality that may or may not be psychotic.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Definition of boomeranged

Browse Nearby Words

backfire
backfired
backfires
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Cite this Entry

“Backfired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfired. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of backfired for Spanish Speakers

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