misfire
verb (used without object)
(of a rifle or gun or of a bullet or shell) to fail to fire or explode.
misfiring
-
present participleof misfire.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
Thierry Henry is probably the one quibbled over the most, Arsene Wenger turning him from misfiring winger to one of the generation's greatest forwards.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Once more, Gotham’s NBA concern had come out sleepy and misfiring in a finals game.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
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
Her performance in the first set of her second match was already a significant improvement, as she won nine of 11 points on her second serve, misfiring just twice for two double faults.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2025
Just one enzyme misfiring, just one wrong protein activation, and you could have cancer.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
