pushback

noun

push·​back ˈpu̇sh-ˌbak 

1

: the action of forcing an object backward

2

: resistance or opposition in response to a policy or regulation especially by those affected

Examples of pushback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Big Tech firms Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Facebook — which are collectively spending hundreds of billions of dollars on data centers across the globe — didn’t answer Associated Press questions about the effect of community pushback. —Marc Levy, Fortune, 3 Jan. 2026

An Illinois congressman’s warning that Americans are paying more for groceries is drawing pushback from economists who say federal inflation data show food prices are easing. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 Jan. 2026

Trump faced pushback from Democrats over his announcement. —Michelle Stoddart, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2026

Getting pushback from a friend? —Usa Today, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pushback

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