backfire
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.
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There is a danger, however, that Lego’s light touch might backfire, and parents won’t be thrilled about paying premium prices for a toy that essentially has a few extra beeps and boops.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
It's nothing new - John Aldridge, Mexico legend Hugo Sanchez and Pele all used the stutter to gain an advantage - but it can backfire spectacularly if the goalkeeper doesn't commit to diving early.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
His surprise move threatened to backfire Wednesday after other heavyweight parties confirmed they would not contest a by-election.
From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026
If prosecutors do turn up evidence of wrongdoing, Newsom’s decision to parade his indignation could backfire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
I realize this could all backfire terribly, but it feels like my only option.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
The company has long relied on this high-yielding equity as its primary engine to bankroll Bitcoin acquisitions—a strategy that backfires when the shares lose ground.
From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026
All of the above comes with a caveat: Unbridled choice often backfires.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
An attempt to impress the Chairwoman by adorning a space at the club in colonial chic backfires.
From Salon ● Apr. 23, 2026
Is there a chance this really backfires, then?
From Slate ● Jan. 13, 2026
The car behind me at the drive-thru backfires, and I rush inside.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
Some might look at the Platner implosion and realize that treating each one of his bad decisions, harmful actions, and personal failures as an upside for his relatability backfired spectacularly.
From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026
Yet, at the end of the day, such imperial highhandedness backfired on Athens: It lost the broader war for domination of Greece.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
Efforts to turn Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk into a pop culture icon after his killing last September have backfired spectacularly, with online parodists meme-ifying his image.
From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2026
The move backfired on Nexstar as a federal judge in Northern California issued a preliminary injunction, ordering Nexstar to halt the Tegna consolidation.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026
The threatened prosecution of aliens also backfired on the Federalists, when Irish immigrants in New York and Germans in Pennsylvania, formerly staunch supporters of the Adams administration, went over to the Republicans in droves.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Nestlé tweaked its portfolio, but investors say some acquisitions were a distraction, backfiring as the company expanded into non-core areas.
From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026
In fact, it is backfiring, dusting the world in optimistic, spring-flower pink schadenfreude.
From Salon ● May 16, 2026
The strategy started backfiring unexpectedly in recent months.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026
China's approach to urging people to have children also risks backfiring if people feel the government is being "too intrusive" about what is deeply personal choice, she said.
From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2025
“No, we got wind of a nasty backfiring jinx down in Elephant and Castle, but luckily the Magical Law Enforcement Squad had sorted it out by the time we got there...”
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling