backfire
verb (used without object)
(of an internal-combustion engine) to have a loud, premature explosion in the intake manifold.
has backfired
-
present perfectof backfire (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the 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.
That $2.4 billion deal has backfired on Dick’s Sporting Goods.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
But Liverpool's decision to overhaul their already battle-tested squad has backfired.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2025
Before the match it looked as though the England job was Carsley's to lose, but this experiment has backfired and the perception has changed.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2024
But testifying, and telling his version of the truth, has backfired before.
From Salon ● May 20, 2024
Going out the side door has backfired on me today, though.
From Eastern Standard Tribe by Cory Doctorow
