boomerang

noun

boo·​mer·​ang ˈbü-mə-ˌraŋ How to pronounce boomerang (audio)
1
: a bent or angular throwing club typically flat on one side and rounded on the other so that it soars or curves in flight
especially : one designed to return near the thrower
2
: an act or utterance that backfires on its originator
boomerang intransitive verb

Examples of boomerang in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That leaves employers with the question: How much are your boomerangs worth? Byjane Thier, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2023 Fresh from a contract extension, boomerang CEO Iger is on the hunt for a strategic partner for the 80%-owned subsidiary, someone who has the wherewithal to help transition the business from cable to digital as more and more Americans cut the cord. Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2023 On Blind, an anonymous employee forum, one Stripe worker recently asked whether layoff boomerangs are common. Byjane Thier, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2023 As Bakish detailed, that deal is symbolic of a boomerang in the marketplace. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2023 Yes, Jason Statham uses a boomerang and turns into a book tornado. Rebecca Pahle, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2023 Last September, the Australian rugby team honored the country’s own Indigenous communities by facing the haka in the shape of a boomerang. Greg McKenna, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023 The question now is whether boomerang CEO Bob Iger can turn things around. Peter Vanham, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2023 The new area will be home to Kings Islands' newest coaster, Snoopy's Soap Box Racers, the first family-friendly boomerang coaster at the park. Annasofia Scheve, The Enquirer, 11 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'boomerang.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of the Port Jackson area) bumarinʸ

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of boomerang was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near boomerang

Cite this Entry

“Boomerang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boomerang. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

boomerang

1 of 2 noun
boo·​mer·​ang
ˈbü-mə-ˌraŋ
: a curved club that can be thrown so as to return to the thrower

boomerang

2 of 2 verb
Etymology

the native word for this club in Australia

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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