blowback

noun

blow·​back ˈblō-ˌbak 

: an unforeseen and unwanted effect, result, or set of repercussions

Examples of blowback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Spitzer acknowledged the blowback in an interview with The Times. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Advertisement Thus, the crisis of liberal democracy after 9/11 might be better understood not simply as a blowback from the war on terror, but as an aftershock of socialism’s collapse. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

The initial memes surrounding Kirk were, in some ways, a blowback to that reaction. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

So when Hocevar hears blowback from Hamlin and others, their opinion means little compared to that of Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson and others within the Spire organization. — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blowback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback