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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.

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Others worried it could backfire in part by raising expectations that the Treasury Department will intervene anytime yields rise past certain key level—expectations that could be hard for Bessent to meet.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 21, 2026

But there’s no way this could possibly backfire, right?

From Salon Aug. 17, 2026

“Law enforcement has good intentions but they sometimes backfire with unintended consequences. Often, the more laws you create to prevent people from having a reptile, the more they want them. But sometimes prohibition does work.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 6, 2026

Estate planning can backfire for those who get overwhelmed.

From MarketWatch Jul. 25, 2026

I realize this could all backfire terribly, but it feels like my only option.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

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

Most have done so without incident but an insurer owned by Golden Gate Capital was put into liquidation by Connecticut regulators in January after its reinsurance deals backfired.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 26, 2026

The last time they tried, it backfired spectacularly.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 21, 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

I’m sure there are people who believe him—Hailey did—but Ms. Ofrah was right: it backfired.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

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

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

The topic is the biggest flex—and source of stress—in Silicon Valley, where tech pros and amateurs are competing to see how much of their grunt work they can outsource to AI without things backfiring spectacularly.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 12, 2026

China's approach to urging people to have children also risks backfiring if people feel the government is being "too intrusive" about what is deeply personal choice, she said.

From BBC Dec. 31, 2025

The automobile had a black canvas roof, slotted rubber tires, and a brass horn, and was shimmying and shaking and backfiring to beat the band.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns




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