BACKFIRE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for BACKFIRE?

Need another word that means the same as “backfire”? Find 9 synonyms for “backfire” in this overview.

Table Of Contents:

The synonyms of “Backfire” are: backlash, recoil, misfire, rebound, boomerang, come back, have an adverse effect, blowback

Backfire as a Noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “backfire” as a noun can have the following definitions:

A fire started deliberately to stop the progress of an approaching fire by creating a burned area in its path.
A mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust of a vehicle or engine.
The backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired.
A miscalculation that recoils on its maker.
A loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine.
A fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path.

blowback	The backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired. This is the blowback* from all those aggressive public health campaigns.*
boomerang	A curved flat piece of wood that can be thrown so that it will return to the thrower, traditionally used by Australian Aboriginal people as a hunting weapon.

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “backfire” as a verb can have the following definitions:

(of a plan or action) have an opposite and undesirable effect to what was intended.
(of a vehicle or its engine) undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust.
Emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire.
Set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire.
Come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect.

backlash	Come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect. The political movie backlashed on the Democrats.
boomerang	Return to the initial position from where it came like a boomerang. Misleading consumers about quality will eventually boomerang* on a car maker.*
come back	Come to pass; arrive, as in due course.
have an adverse effect	Serve oneself to, or consume regularly.
misfire	(of a gun or missile) fail to discharge or fire properly. As she raised her pistol again it misfired.
rebound	Spring back; spring away from an impact. The Share Index rebounded to show a twenty point gain.
recoil	Draw back, as with fear or pain. Ronni felt herself recoil* at the very thought.*