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.

Vance has been repeatedly ratioed on X ever since, a small but telling sign that the usual outrage machine is misfiring.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2026

With the way that the Bills’ offense is misfiring, there’s strong potential for a lower-scoring game here.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2021

The theoretical ability to beat a classical computer is of little use if the hardware that serves as the physical representations of those calculations is misfiring or dodgy.

From Economist • Feb. 22, 2018

The military and intelligence agencies promote some spectacularly talented people, but something in this process is misfiring.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2017

My fight-or-flight response is misfiring, perceiving threats where there are none.

From The Guardian • May 15, 2016