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backfires - 10 thesaurus results
| Main Entry: | backfire |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | have an opposite effect |
| Synonyms: | backlash, boomerang, bounce back, disappoint, fail, flop, rebound, recoil, ricochet, miscarry, spring back |
| Main Entry: | backlash |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | adverse reaction |
| Synonyms: | backfire, boomerang, kickback, reaction, recoil, repercussion, resentment, resistance, response, retaliation, tangle, counteraction, retroaction |
| Main Entry: | explode |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | blow up |
| Synonyms: | backfire, blast, blaze, break out, burst, collapse, convulse, detonate, discharge, erupt, fracture, jet, mushroom*, rupture, shatter, shiver, split, thunder, blow to kingdom come, flame up, flare up, kablooey, let go, set off |
| Notes: | explode is to blow up from a confined area outwards; implode means blow inwards, as a lightbulb does when it burns out |
| Antonyms: | implode |
* = informal/non-formal usage
| Main Entry: | explosion |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | eruption, discharge |
| Synonyms: | access, backfire, bang, blast, blowout, blowup, burst, clap, combustion, concussion, crack, detonation, fit, flare-up, fulmination, gust, outbreak, outburst, paroxysm, percussion, pop, report, roar, salvo, firing, ignition |
| Antonyms: | implosion |
| Main Entry: | misfire |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | fail |
| Synonyms: | abort, backfire, blunder, explode, fizzle, flop, flounder, miss, peter out, slip, break down, come to nothing, fall flat, fall short, fizz out, fizzle out, go up in smoke, go wrong, miscarry, poop out |
| Main Entry: | react |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | respond; conduct oneself |
| Synonyms: | acknowledge, act, answer, backfire, behave, boomerang*, bounce back*, counter, echo, feel, function, get back at, operate, perform, proceed, rebound, reciprocate, recoil, recur, reply, return, revert, take, work, answer back, be affected, give a snappy comeback, give back, have a funny feeling, have vibes, talk back, turn back |
* = informal/non-formal usage
| Main Entry: | reaction |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | response |
| Synonyms: | acknowledgment, answer, attitude, back talk*, backfire, backlash, boomerang*, comeback, compensation, counterbalance, counterpoise, echo, feedback, feeling, hit, kick, kickback, knee-jerk*, lip*, opinion, rebound, reception, recoil, reflection, reflex, rejoinder, repercussion, reply, retort, return, reverberation, revulsion, sass*, snappy comeback*, take*, wisecrack, counteraction, double-take, reagency, receptivity, reciprocation, vibes |
| Antonyms: | cause, question |
* = informal/non-formal usage
| Main Entry: | rebound |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | bounce back; ricochet |
| Synonyms: | backfire, boomerang, convalesce, get back on one's feet, get better, get in shape, get well, heal, kick back, make a comeback, mend, overcome, pick up, pull through, rally, recoil, recuperate, regain one's health, rejuvenate, return, return to form, revive, snap back, spring back, start anew |
| Main Entry: | recoil |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | shrink away |
| Synonyms: | backfire, balk, blanch, blink, carom, cringe, demur, dodge, draw back, duck, falter, flinch, hesitate, jerk, kick, quail, quake, react, rebound, reel, shake, shirk, shrink, shudder, spring, start, stick, swerve, tremble, waver, wince, withdraw, blench, pull back, resile, shy away, step back, stickle, turn away |
| Antonyms: | face, meet |
| Main Entry: | ricochet |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | rebound |
| Synonyms: | backfire, boomerang, bounce back, deflect, kick back, recoil, return, snap back, spring back |
Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition
Copyright © 2009 by the Philip Lief Group.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by the Philip Lief Group.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
