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

But those same programs, especially in the months since President Trump returned to the White House, have faced increasing backlash, underlined by recent executive orders eliminating federal diversity programs. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025

Sharing her story online, however, came with both support and backlash. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 25 May 2025

Despite the pervasive anti-DEI backlash, all companies must think about ways to implement frequent and ongoing education to ensure employees understand issues like racial bias and stereotyping, in order to mitigate workplace discrimination. —Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025

What To Know On Wednesday's three-hour episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with NFL star Aaron Rodgers, Rogan received backlash for discussing a variety of topics—including vaccines, Netflix and New Jersey's mystery drones—but not the future of his football career. —Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 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