BACKFIRING Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

backfiring

verb

present participle of backfire

as in collapsing

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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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 backfiring Or the war inside Iran by a regime whose new fear campaign against its people appears to be backfiring? — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026 With the decision to keep Cole in backfiring and the Bombers’ bats silent against Roki Sasaki and the Dodgers’ bullpen, the Yankees began their second half with a 2-1 loss to the back-to-back champions. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026 This aggressive legal action is backfiring, as consumers perceive the large chain as bullying a smaller, beloved brand. — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Some fashion retailers‘ efforts to reduce the higher import costs are backfiring. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 23 June 2026 Djokovic, meanwhile, tried to shorten points by hitting drop shots of his own, but the tactic kept backfiring, with Prižmić able to chase them down and fire away winners. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 May 2026 The president’s attacks and threats on Fed policymakers themselves are also backfiring. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026 The overconfidence of the pro-Trump push in country music pre- and postelection is backfiring on many of its most enthusiastic emissaries. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026 Red Lobster's push to lure diners with cheap deals may be backfiring, with one retail expert warning the strategy could be attracting the wrong customer as losses continue to mount. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backfiring

Verb

Scientists have discovered that copper melts gradually rather than collapsing all at once under extreme heat.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Videos posted to social media showed buildings collapsing and panicked residents running and screaming, as dust filled the sky.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

Battered cars with numbers sprayed on their sides are whipping around the dirt track of the Lebanon Valley Speedway, loose fenders flopping like overgrown bangs in the swirling dust.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Perez chugged around the bases before belly-flopping into third base with his trademark smile.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Definition of flopping

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backfires

backfiring

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“Backfiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backfiring. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of backfiring

verb

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