backfire

/bˈækfˌaɪɹ/ · 2 syllables

Meaning

noun

1. the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
2. a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
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
4. a miscalculation that recoils on its maker

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”
2. emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
   “My old car backfires all the time”
3. set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire

Synonyms for backfire

• blowback
• boomerang
• backlash
• recoil

Words that rhyme with backfire

• retire
• mire
• inspire
• squire
• expire
• haywire
• inquire
• admire
• dire
• esquire
• ire
• shire
• tyre
• afire
• aspire
• hellfire
• lyre
• perspire
• quire
• skier
• spire
• abshire
• alkire
• barkshire
• beijer
• blackshire
• brushfire
• dannemeyer
• darbyshire
• dwire