as in reaction
a strong public response against something
There was swift backlash to the senator's controversial comments.
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Recent Examples of backlash
Marlee Matlin: Probably after the backlash for speaking at the Oscars.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Bondi in particular has faced intense backlash given her comments earlier this year pledging transparency around the Epstein files.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 11 July 2025
After a backlash against encampments in many Western cities, the Supreme Court rules in City of Grants Pass vs. Johnson that local governments’ use of civil and criminal penalties for illegally camping on public land does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment of homeless people.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
When ride-sharing company Uber increased the number of days employees had to show up in person from two to three, the mandate set off a fiery backlash.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backlash
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Bondi in particular has faced intense backlash given her comments earlier this year pledging transparency around the Epstein files.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 11 July 2025
After a backlash against encampments in many Western cities, the Supreme Court rules in City of Grants Pass vs. Johnson that local governments’ use of civil and criminal penalties for illegally camping on public land does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment of homeless people.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
When ride-sharing company Uber increased the number of days employees had to show up in person from two to three, the mandate set off a fiery backlash.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backlash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backlash
reaction
Noun
-
While nobody in college football is condoning that type of reaction from fans, the emotions of losing The Game are what will keep it relevant even in an era when the stakes aren’t as high, Carpenter said.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Motor skills have declined further, reaction times have slowed and decision-making has deteriorated.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backlash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backlash. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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