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.
Working with such armed militias has backfired in the past, say military analysts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 24, 2026
But Liverpool's decision to overhaul their already battle-tested squad has backfired.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2025
But testifying, and telling his version of the truth, has backfired before.
From Salon ● May 20, 2024
And yet this approach has backfired for decades now.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2024
Going out the side door has backfired on me today, though.
From Eastern Standard Tribe by Cory Doctorow
