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

While listeners praised the unscripted, relatable moment, Poehler is also navigating backlash. —Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Trump’s recent comments about deploying troops to San Francisco generated backlash from California officials. —Chantelle Lee, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

Whether this backlash will slow the data center boom, blacken the reputation of AI companies and their products with users, or hasten the roll-out of AI regulation globally remains to be seen. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

The backlash prompted the New York state GOP to disband its chapter of the organization. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 21 Oct. 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