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.

So far, this calculus seems to have backfired.

From The Wall Street Journal

The retailer's attempt to humanise its chat bot may have backfired, as some users said that Olive was "obnoxious," while another said that they found its small talk "aggravating."

From BBC

“You only have so many tries” suggests his attempts to help could backfire; that language is inflammatory and shaming at worst and unhelpful at best.

From MarketWatch

In other laboratory experiments, the researchers sought to identify when a reappropriation strategy might backfire.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s true that forced treatment doesn’t always get the desired outcome, and can backfire if it makes the person more resistant to treatment.

From Los Angeles Times