blowback

noun

blow·​back ˈblō-ˌbak 

: an unforeseen and unwanted effect, result, or set of repercussions

Examples of blowback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

No commissioner — not Silver, not Goodell, not anyone — could have stopped the ugly blowback directed at Thomas following her flagrant foul against Clark. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Willett faced some blowback after touting an endorsement from Eric DeValkenaere, the first Kansas City police officer ever convicted for killing a Black man. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026

Powell said the Cru team rarely gets such blowback because of its gentler approach, though the occasional troll will act up. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026

Among Democrats, the number was 85% Progressive and environmental activists first saw blowback building to data center construction last year. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blowback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback