Backfire has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:
Noun
· Verb
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
5
Alternative spelling of back fire
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"
"the political movie backlashed on the Democrats"
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
4
To fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel.
Example Sentences
"Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble"
verb
"the political movie backlashed on the Democrats"
verb
"My old car backfires all the time"
verb
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)