backfire
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:
That can backfire, though: After Tesla’s initial Cybercab event was light on details, the stock dropped about 9%.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026
During the first hour, pine grove owners urged fire commanders to light a backfire a few hundred yards from Le Porge.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026
As L3Harris is now encountering, looking past misconduct allegations at previous employers can backfire.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
But there’s no way this could possibly backfire, right?
From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2026
Thanks to her maddening pep, though, it may backfire.
From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper
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
Is there a chance this really backfires, then?
From Slate ● Jan. 13, 2026
The programme describes it as a hero's plot for peace that backfires with drastic consequences.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2025
The car behind me at the drive-thru backfires, and I rush inside.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
The last time they tried, it backfired spectacularly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
The move backfired after all the other major parties decided not to field candidates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
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
My attempt at creating a Wes Moore legend had backfired.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
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
In fact, it is backfiring, dusting the world in optimistic, spring-flower pink schadenfreude.
From Salon ● May 16, 2026
But in much of the region the transition is at risk of backfiring, adding to economic stagnation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 2, 2025
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
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Laws are not the only way to boost immunization”: an editorial from Nature
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Catching Fire
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
