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

Though negative reactions to her family’s Beauty and the Beast Halloween costumes was ever a surprise, Paris Hilton issued a defense for herself amid ongoing blowback. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2026

The decision received some blowback, with one conservative Cuban influencer taking to Instagram to slam the business for hosting Jeffries. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 Oct. 2026

Trump’s Republican Party is on edge for potentially heavy losses in House and Senate seats its candidates are defending, driven in part by blowback from consumers facing soaring energy prices. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

But the blowback to an ad in the governor’s race suggests there are limits. — Dan Merica, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 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