Backfire and Flop

Backfire

Backfire verb - To have the reverse of the desired or expected effect.
Usage example: my plan to throw her a surprise party backfired when she ended up sobbing that everyone had forgotten her birthday
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Synonyms for Backfire

Flop is a synonym for backfire in fail topic. In some cases you can use "Flop" instead a verb "Backfire", when it comes to topics like have an opposite effect.

Nearby Words: backfired, backfiring

Flop

Flop verb - To throw or set down clumsily or casually.

Backfire is a synonym for flop in be unsuccessful topic. You can use "Backfire" instead a verb "Flop".

Nearby Words: flopped, flopping

Common collocations

way backfire way flop way
Cite this Source
Flop and Backfire. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/backfire/flop
Backfire & Flop. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/backfire/flop>.
Flop or Backfire. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/backfire/flop.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "backfire" and "flop" have occurred on timeline