Learn That Word

Synonyms for Backfire (same or very similar meaning)

WordNet sense 1 (the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired):
blowback

WordNet sense 2 (come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect):
backlash, recoil, recoil

WordNet sense 3 (a miscalculation that recoils on its maker):
boomerang


From the ODE community, based on WordNetadd/edit