backfire
verb (used without object)
(of an internal-combustion engine) to have a loud, premature explosion in the intake manifold.
are backfiring
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present progressiveof backfire.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
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.
"These things are backfiring," he said, adding that "the regulatory environment is obviously not helping Europe or France."
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
Scientists worry that hatchery efforts are backfiring in part by weakening salmon’s genetic resilience.
From New York Times ● Apr. 3, 2023
Monsanto spokeswoman Trish Jordan said the company believes demand growth still justifies corn expansion, and she disputed the notion that crop science advances are backfiring on agricultural technology firms.
From Reuters ● Sep. 27, 2017
Oregon, Colorado, Michigan and Illinois have created early release programs that are backfiring.
From Forbes ● Jun. 10, 2010
The converters are backfiring, and rocket-fuel is leaking back toward the engine-rooms!
From Genesis by H. Beam Piper
