Definitions for backfire
ˈbækˌfaɪərback·fire

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. blowback, backfirenoun

   the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired

2. backfirenoun

   a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine

3. backfirenoun

   a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path

4. backfire, boomerangverb

   a miscalculation that recoils on its maker

5. backfire, backlash, recoilverb

   come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect

   "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble"

6. backfireverb

   emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire

   "My old car backfires all the time"

7. backfireverb

   set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. backfireverb

   (Of a gun or cannon) to fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel.

2. backfireverb

   To fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune.

   His attempt to make money by importing luxury cars horribly backfired when fuel prices tripled.

3. Etymology: From back + fire.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. backfire

   Backfire generally refers to a situation where an action or plan has the opposite effect to what was originally intended. It often results in harm or damage to the person who initiated the action or plan. It can be used in different contexts such as psychological, social, mechanical, or physical situations.

Matched Categories

1. • Explosion
   • Fire
   • Noise

Anagrams for backfire »

1. fireback

How to pronounce backfire?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say backfire in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of backfire in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of backfire in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of backfire in a Sentence

1. Joseph Giacalone:

   Apparently, there are no more victims' rights anywhere in New York City. If this keeps on going the way it’s going, eventually, this is all going to backfire, you cannot keep on disrespecting victims and their families because you think it’s going to be a better society or this utopian society.

2. Thomas Gerakis:

   It looked like a walk in a park for Alexis Tsipras - there was a chasm between Alexis Tsipras. But we see now that if one underestimates the other, it will only backfire, i'M NOT FAKE.

3. Alissa Rumsey:

   If you enjoy a moderate amount of alcohol and it is something that is important to you, I don't recommend restricting yourself to try to lose weight, this type of restriction tends to backfire.

4. Merrick Garland:

   This entire Chantilly Virginia debacle showed one of the weaknesses of Democratic Party which is focusing on their Trump-hate, the same kind of vitriol that they’ve been attacking Rush with since the beginning of the program … They do n’t rely on facts, they just want to smear and discredit their political opponents rather than engage them and it is starting to backfire.

5. Adel Abdel Mahdi:

   It is useless to go to a meeting without deciding up front. We said yes if others are willing to go but we have to decide before, otherwise this will backfire on us. We have to go forward - I think the market needs that but we also look at our partners outside OPEC to do the same.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=backfire
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Backfire
3. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com