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
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
Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 11 Feb. 2025
Then, an upper stage misfired during a deorbit burn after an otherwise successful launch in September, causing debris to fall outside of the pre-approved danger area.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025
Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
After several years of misfires, Washington needs more draft classes to build up its roster.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfire
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Verb
There were some behind-the-back passes that misfired.
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 11 Feb. 2025
Then, an upper stage misfired during a deorbit burn after an otherwise successful launch in September, causing debris to fall outside of the pre-approved danger area.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
The gunshots in the first episode certainly don’t sound like misfires.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
After several years of misfires, Washington needs more draft classes to build up its roster.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfire
Cite this Entry
“Misfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misfire. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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