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

The lack of conservative pushback this time around has left the food industry, a powerful lobbying force, as the primary barrier to passing legislation, said Meghan Enslow, policy associate for the Center for Science in the Public Interest. —Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2025

Believe me, in those days there was plenty of pushback from parents, but there was no other way to handle the problem. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

That was part of a broader public pushback against social media companies that were uniquely employing different fact-check methods, notably during the COVID pandemic and surrounding major elections—especially the 2016 and 2020 presidential contests. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025

Nevertheless, after several months of the Trump Administration cutting and terminating NIH grants, contracts, personnel and influence seemingly with impunity, this marks the first big, concrete pushback from Congress. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

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