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

Amid backlash, Instagram head Adam Mosseri publicly committed to removing videos that use smart glasses to harass or covertly film people. — Ashlee Difuntorum, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Maybe that’s because of the rollback of climate-change policies in Washington, a backlash against ESG or sensitivity about the growing emissions toll of AI. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

In February, Discord postponed its controversial age verification policy after receiving backlash from users with concerns about their privacy. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Apparently tone-deaf to the escalating backlash over destructive book scanning, a logo on the door of that team’s warehouse, VGT3, showed a Tyrannosaurus rex preparing to devour a book, 404 Media documented. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 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