MISFIRE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

misfire 1 of 2

verb

ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r

Definition of misfire

as in to fail

to go wrong their scheme to rob the bank misfired disastrously and landed them all in jail

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misfire

2 of 2

noun

as in catastrophe

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of misfire

Verb

Kennedy misfires Many of Kennedy's claims so far on autism have not withstood scientific scrutiny. — Amanda Seitz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 Ackman’s misfires, though, have been offset by some prescient investments in the face of black swan events like the subprime mortgage crisis and COVID, cementing his reputation as one of the shrewdest and most daring risk-takers on Wall Street. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Noun

More commonly, the check engine light may indicate an unrelated issue such as a faulty sensor or an engine misfire. — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026 The digital misfire tipped off during Game 1 of the championship series between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for misfire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfire

Verb

The three-stage rocket failed during its debut mission in October 2021 but is now riding a streak of four straight successes.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
The financial troubles are especially concerning because the Los Angeles Unified School District has failed to meet past budget reduction targets, the report concluded, and the stakes have become higher, with solutions more painful to carry out.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of fail

Noun

An institution built explicitly to neutralize biological catastrophes is now at the center of one.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
With climate change making natural disasters far more frequent, some consumers are turning to smaller off-grid electric networks to generate power in the event of a catastrophe.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Noun

Washington hadn’t converted a third down until its final drive, when Williams converted a third-and-11 pass, then hit a fourth-and-two bomb for 43 yards.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
In other developments, one person was killed and 16 wounded Sunday in a Russian aerial bomb attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, local officials said.

— Susie Blann, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of bomb

Verb

Gowanus Green, as shown in this rendering, is planned to be 100 percent affordable, but construction stalled due to disagreements over cleanup standards.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
Equinix and Digital Realty Trust, data center developers that trade as REITs, have fared well longer-term, though their shares have stalled in the period since the BXDC launch.

— Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of stall

Noun

Frustrated with the officiating following an apparent flop by Aces guard Mai Yamamoto amid heavy physical pressure, Clark picked up a technical foul late in the frame.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Analysts point out that no one is immune to the occasional flop.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of flop

Noun

Let Congress know how dire the situation is (or will be, if there’s a failure to act).

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
The stunning failure in Tennessee's execution chamber on Wednesday has left both sides of the death penalty debate demanding answers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of failure

Browse Nearby Words

misfeasors

misfire

misfired

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfire. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of misfire

verb

noun

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