blowback

noun

blow·​back ˈblō-ˌbak How to pronounce blowback (audio)
Synonyms of blowbacknext
: an unforeseen and unwanted effect, result, or set of repercussions

Examples of blowback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Buyers and sellers alike have also exited the housing market amid economic blowback from the Iran war, CNBC reported on April 7. Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026 The ploy provoked personal blowback, including allegations of domestic abuse, which Magyar denied. Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026 That longstanding connection could insulate Orbán from some of the anti-Trump blowback rattling the rest of Europe, but that's not guaranteed, said Charles Kupchan, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026 That longstanding connection could insulate Orbán from some of the anti-Trump blowback rattling the rest of Europe, but that’s not guaranteed, said Charles Kupchan, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blowback

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blowback was in 1954

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Cite this Entry

“Blowback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blowback. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

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