backfire
noun
1. the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
Similar word(s): blowback
Definition categories: event, blowup, detonation, explosion
2. a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
Definition categories: event, blowup, detonation, explosion
3. a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
Definition categories: event, fire
4. a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
Similar word(s): boomerang
Definition categories: act, miscalculation, misestimation, misreckoning
verb
1. come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
- Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble
- the political movie backlashed on the Democrats
Similar word(s): backlash, recoil
Definition categories: social, hap, happen, occur, pass
2. emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
- My old car backfires all the time
Definition categories: perception, noise, resound
3. set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
Definition categories: change, burn, fire
Sentences with backfire as a verb:
- His attempt to make money by importing luxury cars backfired horribly when fuel prices tripled.