blowback

noun

blow·​back ˈblō-ˌbak How to pronounce blowback (audio)
: an unforeseen and unwanted effect, result, or set of repercussions

Examples of blowback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tennis has had its fair share of blowback on the issue of player health and wellbeing. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 The thinking on Wall Street back then was that Tesla’s problems were manageable, and that any blowback from the company’s liberal base would be outweighed by the benefit of having Musk in the White House, influencing regulations. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 July 2025 Shortly after the protests began, Trump deployed about 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines to the area, drawing immediate blowback from Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Democratic lawmakers across the country. Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 Baldoni also faced blowback: an award that had been bestowed on him by a women’s empowerment group was rescinded, and his podcast cohost, Liz Plank, quit. David MacK, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowback

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blowback was in 1954

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Cite this Entry

“Blowback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blowback. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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