Backfire
Backfire verb - To have the reverse of the desired or expected effect.
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Synonyms for Backfire
Reverse and backfire are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Reverse" instead a verb "Backfire".
Nearby Words: backfired, backfiring
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- When demonstrating the model of the car, Herbie starts it in reverse, causing it to backfire, making it look like they were robbing the bank with a machine gun.
Source: Mistaken for Terrorist -
Unfortunately he runs into a Reverse Psychology Backfire when he goes as far as telling Vimes to Turn in Your Badge, and Vimes almost doesn't get back into the case in time.
Source: Reverse Psychology -
Reverse Psychology Backfire: In "Eve's Band", Eve's band sounds horrible so Mike and Vanessa pretend to support the band hoping they will eventually stop.
Source: Series / Last Man Standing
Cite this Source
Reverse and Backfire. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 01, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/backfire/reverse
Backfire & Reverse. N.p., 2016. Web. 01 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/backfire/reverse>.
Reverse or Backfire. 2016. Accessed August 01, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/backfire/reverse.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "backfire" and "reverse" have occurred on timeline