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

Americans were too jaded from the mid-2010s backlash to social media, and its subsequent lack of government regulation. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Data centers The facilities that help power the rapid growth of artificial intelligence programs are facing a bipartisan backlash across the country. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026

As Macklemore referenced in his note, his actions also drew a response from Pink, who herself caught backlash for reposting a call for the rapper to be removed from the tour. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Duckworth also faced backlash from critics who argued that her message was, at best, a series of hollow exhortations to simply try harder and, at worst, an insidious form of victim-blaming that ignored structural inequality. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 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