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

The generally tame statement was still enough to rile up the likes of Megyn Kelly, who used it as another opportunity to stoke the right-wing backlash to the film. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025

The video received backlash from the public, who condemned her act after it was posted online. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

The move was met with immediate backlash from the European Union and Canada, both of which imposed their own tariffs. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025

Those future developments will likely pile even more controversy on the Department of Government Efficiency and Elon Musk, who has already faced so much backlash that Trump saw fit to host a Tesla car show at the White House to boost the automaker’s stock. —Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 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