backlash

noun

back·​lash ˈbak-ˌlash 

1

a

: a sudden violent backward movement or reaction

b

: the play between adjacent movable parts (as in a series of gears)

also : the jar caused by this when the parts are put into action

2

: a snarl in that part of a fishing line wound on the reel

3

: a strong adverse reaction (as to a recent political or social development)

backlasher noun

Examples of backlash in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Democratic Boston Mayor Michelle Wu offered her condolences to a knife-wielding man who was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer inside a Chick-fil-A restaurant on Saturday, which sparked backlash on social media. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025

The film has been receiving serious backlash online in the form of analytical essays and social-media posts, but Johanne is different. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025

The club retained key players, brought in coveted free agents and deferred over $130 million in new contracts — sending many baseball fans into an uproar that has reignited backlash to the sport’s financial model. —Russell Leung, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025

The fate of Gaza has been discussed at length, including a proposal from President Donald Trump to remove residents from Gaza and redevelop the land, a proposal that drew widespread backlash, with some calling it ethnic cleansing. —Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing backlash

• anti-backlash

Rhymes for backlash

• chumash
• eyelash
• moustache
• mustache
• noncash
• potash
• rehash
• whiplash
• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache

Kids Definition

backlash

noun

back·​lash ˈbak-ˌlash 

: a reaction against some political or social development