backfiring

[bak-fahyuh r-ing]

backfiring Definition

• 1. a loud noise made by an internal combustion engine or an explosion in the exhaust system caused by incomplete combustion
• 2. a plan or action that has an opposite effect to the one intended

Using backfiring: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "backfiring" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The car's backfiring woke up the entire neighborhood.

• Example

  The company's cost-cutting measures ended up backfiring and causing them to lose more money.

• Example

  The politician's smear campaign against his opponent ended up backfiring and causing him to lose support.

backfiring Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for backfiring

• misfire
• blowback
• repercussion
• counterproductivity

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Summary: backfiring in Brief

The term 'backfiring' [bak-fahyuh r-ing] refers to two distinct concepts. The first is a loud noise made by an engine due to incomplete combustion, as in 'The car's backfiring woke up the entire neighborhood.' The second is a plan or action that has the opposite effect to the one intended, as in 'The company's cost-cutting measures ended up backfiring and causing them to lose more money.'