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

If he was being shunned by many coaches and executives who either opposed his form of dissent or feared fan backlash, or both, John Harbaugh wasn’t one of them. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The concertgoer also denounced Sheeran for allowing Macklemore to return to the stage Saturday after the backlash from the previous night. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Data centers are one of the most controversial issues of the 2026 election cycle, garnering widespread backlash among voters in both political parties. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

The store pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves Monday after widespread social media backlash over a garment that critics said evoked painful memories of racist minstrel caricatures. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 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