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

Continue reading … DAMAGE CONTROL – Amanpour apologizes after backlash over comments on treatment of Israeli hostages. —FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Whitney Cummings is the latest comedian to defend performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, which sparked widespread backlash in the comedy industry for its ties to the Saudi Arabia government. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025

Dozens of naked demonstrators staged a protest outside Portland’s ICE facility on Sunday, drawing backlash from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid growing tensions over federal immigration enforcement. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Rowling, whose best-selling young adult series and accompanying movie franchise sparked a pop culture phenomenon in the 2000s, has drawn backlash in recent years for her outspoken views against the transgender community. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

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