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backfire

back·fire [ ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r]

backfire

noun

Definition of backfire (Entry 2 of 2)

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

backfire

verb

[ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r]

backfired; backfiring; backfires

Definition of backfire

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect
//their plans backfired

2 : to make or undergo a backfire

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Verb

boomerang

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
//Your financial strategies could backfire at the end of February and in April.
— Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Nov. 2, 2019: Libra, focus on your immediate needs; Pisces, the sky is the limit," 2 Nov. 2019
//Relying on relationships alone, of course, can backfire spectacularly.
— Kate Sheridan, STAT, "Social connections first, science second: How biotech’s recipe for success has its limits," 31 Oct. 2019
//Moreover, repeated attempts at predicting and controlling everything in life can backfire, leading to psychological problems like OCD.
— Jelena Kecmanovic, The Conversation, "5 tips for surviving in an increasingly uncertain world," 23 Oct. 2019
//That relationship could backfire on Trump not only in Michigan’s suburbs, but also in rural areas, where the GOP’s education policies have even less to offer voters.
— Jennifer C. Berkshire, The New Republic, "Could Betsy DeVos Cost Trump the Election?," 22 Oct. 2019
//Such audacity could backfire, no matter how cool the renderings might be.
— John King, SFChronicle.com, "Waterfront towers are coming to Mission Rock. They won’t look like you’d expect," 12 Oct. 2019
//While Trump's strategists have long believed an impeachment push could backfire against Democrats, the president has also voiced concern that impeachment could become the first line of his political obituary.
— Jonathan Lemire, Fortune, "White House Punching Back on Impeachment Using Its Mueller Strategy," 27 Sep. 2019
//Instead, his scheme could backfire, and he might get kicked out of government altogether.
— Jen Kirby, Vox, "Italy’s prime minister just resigned. What the heck comes next?," 21 Aug. 2019
//Motorcycles backfiring while passing through sounded like gun shots.
— Washington Post, "Walmart pulls violent game displays; no change on gun sales," 9 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
//The bitter partisan process backfires on Democrats, allowing Trump to win reelection and keep the Senate under Republican control.
— Washington Post, "It’s time for America’s business leaders to take a stand on Trump," 4 Oct. 2019
//Stopped our show tonight due to a motorcycle backfire that was mistaken for a bomb or a shooting.
— CBS News, "Motorcycle backfire stirs panic in NYC's Times Square as crowd mistakes sound for gunshot," 7 Aug. 2019
//When Denker is forced to attempt a broth, which is awful — to the delight of Spratt — his scheming backfires.
— Washington Post, "Did you lose Downton Abbey in the British fog? Catch up here," 10 Sep. 2019
//This attempt at extortion backfires in a way that could only happen to Greg.
— Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Kind of Game Is Kendall Playing on Succession?," 2 Sep. 2019
//Without Trump on the ballot, Republicans might not be inspired to turn out — unless the Democrats’ ploy backfires and Republicans vote en masse out of anger.
— Los Angeles Times, "Column: Requiring Trump’s tax returns under California election law is just plain petty politics," 15 Aug. 2019
//The panicked pedestrians also fled into nearby Sardi’s restaurant for safety after what a witness said were two or three backfires, Deadline reported.
— Los Angeles Times, "Panic at Broadway’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ after sounds are mistaken for gunfire," 7 Aug. 2019
//Times Square was sent into a panic about a motorcycle backfire that, many in the crowd assumed, was the latest gunfire in a public place.
— Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, "A School-Shooting Hero, Celebrated and Knighted Posthumously," 12 Aug. 2019
//If America is looking for a protest anthem to help channel our fear of mass murder, if not mistaken motorcycle backfire, Tears For Fears wrote the lyrics decades ago.
— Phillip Morris, cleveland.com, "A motorcycle has now become the sum of our fears: Phillip Morris," 11 Aug. 2019

First Known Use of backfire

Verb

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Dictionary Entries near backfire

More Synonyms and Antonyms ofbackfire

Synonyms & Antonyms of backfire

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 for backfire

boomerang

Words Related to backfire

Near Antonyms for backfire

succeed

More Definitions forbackfire

backfire

verb

English Language Learners Definition of backfire

of an engine or vehicle : to make a loud sound when fuel is not burned properly

: to have the opposite result of what was desired or expected

backfire

verb

back·fire | \ ˈbak-ˌfīr \

backfired; backfiring

Kids Definition of backfire

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to have a result opposite to what was planned
//The joke backfired.

2 : to make a loud engine noise caused by fuel igniting at the wrong time

backfire

noun

Kids Definition of backfire (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a loud engine noise caused by fuel igniting at the wrong time

2 : a fire that is set to stop the spread of a forest fire or a grass fire by burning off a strip of land ahead of it