backlash

noun

Definition of backlashnext
as in reaction
a strong public response against something There was swift backlash to the senator's controversial comments.

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backlash Last month, Barros divested his interest in Liberty Junction and CoJo Partners following intense public backlash over the deal. — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2026 But many neighborhoods are cutting ties with Flock, and the backlash has taken a violent turn after several Flock cameras were destroyed across the US. — Andrew Zucker, Vanity Fair, 14 Aug. 2026 The cameras can help investigators track suspects and find missing people, but reports of unauthorized searches and concerns about warrantless surveillance have prompted backlash across the country. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2026 Efforts to increase revenue proved unpopular — witness the backlash over trash fees and Gloria’s failure to win passage of a city sales tax hike in 2024. — Carl Luna, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backlash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backlash
reaction
Noun
  • The idea that government, which has been defined as incompetent and inefficient for decades, could provide grocery abundance and variety better than Walmart and Costco has triggered a visceral reaction among critics.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Forty-five minutes in front of a Croke Park terrace rammed with Leeds supporters, less than a week after becoming the club’s most expensive transfer in history, also gave him an unsubtle insight into the reaction.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of reaction

Browse Nearby Words

backlands
backlash
backlashes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Backlash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backlash. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on backlash

Nglish: Translation of backlash for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All