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Definitions

backfire

[bak-fahyuhr] / ˈbækˌfaɪər /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Estate planning can backfire for those who get overwhelmed.

From MarketWatch Jul. 25, 2026

But the showdown could backfire and spark a bigger conflict if they don’t find an off ramp, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 14, 2026

It's nothing new - John Aldridge, Mexico legend Hugo Sanchez and Pele all used the stutter to gain an advantage - but it can backfire spectacularly if the goalkeeper doesn't commit to diving early.

From BBC Jul. 10, 2026

But without incentives for companies to voluntarily relocate, the massive investment could backfire, warned Kim Dae-jong, a professor of Business Administration at Sejong University.

From Barron's Jun. 29, 2026

But almost immediately, the Berlin Wall began to backfire on Khrushchev.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

The company has long relied on this high-yielding equity as its primary engine to bankroll Bitcoin acquisitions—a strategy that backfires when the shares lose ground.

From Barron's Jun. 26, 2026

All of the above comes with a caveat: Unbridled choice often backfires.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 14, 2026

Officers potentially wasting thousands of hours in pursuit of car backfires and construction noise mislabeled as gunfire has not deterred the New York Police Department from continuing to use it.

From Salon Feb. 8, 2026

Is there a chance this really backfires, then?

From Slate Jan. 13, 2026

The car behind me at the drive-thru backfires, and I rush inside.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

But a police crackdown on crowds marching towards parliament on July 20 backfired, galvanising support for the movement and transforming anger over exam leaks into a broader expression of youth frustration.

From Barron's Jul. 29, 2026

The chain has experienced other problems as well, including remodels that backfired, agitation among activist investors and same-store sales that have wobbled over Masino’s three-year tenure.

From MarketWatch Jul. 28, 2026

According to these views, if the hacking incident was a publicity stunt then it appears as though it backfired.

From BBC Jul. 24, 2026

Some might look at the Platner implosion and realize that treating each one of his bad decisions, harmful actions, and personal failures as an upside for his relatability backfired spectacularly.

From Slate Jul. 8, 2026

They admired him, sure, but didn’t want to get too close in case something backfired.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

Nestlé tweaked its portfolio, but investors say some acquisitions were a distraction, backfiring as the company expanded into non-core areas.

From Barron's Jun. 10, 2026

Mr. Trump is frustrated that his Administration’s criminal investigation into Mr. Powell over a cost overrun on a Fed building renovation is backfiring in a big way.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 15, 2026

Sullivan warned that changes to VA policy that take decision-making out of veterans’ control is a risk that could seriously backfiring.

From Salon Mar. 14, 2026

At around that time, those price increases started backfiring.

From MarketWatch Nov. 25, 2025

Like the rest of the Wizarding world, Bathilda puts Kendra’s premature death down to a backfiring charm, a story repeated by Albus and Aberforth in later years.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling




Vocabulary lists containing backfire


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