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

In 2024, Treasurer Vivek Malek partnered with Torch to place advertisements on its device, but later removed the ads after backlash. —Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026

Continue reading … ‘ONLY A LEFTIST’ — CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan draws backlash over Hegseth prayer post. —FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026

Another backlash player is the Tradwife movement with its viral vibe of birthing lots of babies with no pain killers, making bread from scratch, and selling homespun merch on Instagram. —Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026

But the program is already starting to face some backlash over concerns the guardrails go too far. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026

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