pushback

noun

push·​back ˈpu̇sh-ˌbak 

1

: the action of forcing an object backward

2

: resistance or opposition in response to a policy or regulation especially by those affected

Examples of pushback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The think tank also set out to create shadow versions of the OMB and of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel to anticipate legal challenges and counter internal pushback. —Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025

The emails don’t show why Aviation administrators couldn’t get the promotional expenses removed, but the pushback came at a time when CountryFest and A3 were in the midst of receiving county dollars from multiple sources. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

Similar buffer-zone laws in Arizona, Louisiana, Florida and Indiana, which have no exception for journalists, have all faced public and legal pushback on First Amendment grounds. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025

Prinicipal John Laurent approved the visit, despite parental pushback. —Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pushback

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