mis·fire
ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r 
misfired; misfiring; misfires
1
: to have the explosive or propulsive charge fail to ignite at the proper time
the engine misfired
2
: to fail to fire
the gun misfired
3
: to miss an intended effect or objective
the new ad campaign misfired
mis·fire
ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r
ˈmis-ˌfī(-ə)r
1
: a failure (as of a cartridge or firearm) to fire
2
: something that misfires
Synonyms
Examples of misfire in a Sentence
Verb
their scheme to rob the bank misfired disastrously and landed them all in jail
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Lewis then misfired on its next three passes and Monarch won.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 16 Nov. 2024
Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 10 Nov. 2024
That ground shifts far too violently in this Alexander Payne misfire, in which Damon, facing financial strife, shrinks himself to reduce his expenses and environmental footprint but must readjust after his wife (a disappointing Kristen Wiig) changes her mind at the last minute.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2024
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Verb
Advertisement Lately, other movie musicals have misfired at the box office.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Lewis then misfired on its next three passes and Monarch won.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
The fourth misfire was initially ruled a fumble that led to a Titans touchdown, but it was later overturned by video replay and ruled an incomplete pass.
—Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 10 Nov. 2024
That ground shifts far too violently in this Alexander Payne misfire, in which Damon, facing financial strife, shrinks himself to reduce his expenses and environmental footprint but must readjust after his wife (a disappointing Kristen Wiig) changes her mind at the last minute.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for misfire
Dictionary Entries Near misfire
Cite this Entry
“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misfire. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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