backfire

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At around that time, those price increases started backfiring.

From MarketWatch

A stunned England woke Sunday to savage criticism after their meek capitulation in the first Ashes Test, branded "brainless" and "damaged" by former greats after their cavalier approach backfired.

From Barron's

However, the attempt to strengthen Sir Keir's position appeared to backfire as it brought talk of threats to his leadership into the open and sparked further criticism of the PM.

From BBC

If the controls are successful, they could handicap China for a generation; if they fail, they may backfire spectacularly, hastening the very future the United States is trying desperately to avoid.

From New York Times

The outcome is a victory for President Biden as well, who has touted NATO’s expansion as an example of how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has backfired on Moscow.

From Washington Times