as in collapsing
to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect
the well-meaning gesture boomeranged, since he ended up being offended by it
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Recent Examples of boomeranging
The idea of Miami boomeranging from 7-10 to make the playoffs next year and maybe even end that playoff-victory drought is not be crazy.
—
Greg Cote
january 26, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
Greg Cote
january 26, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boomeranging
Verb
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After collapsing on their home floor in the second half of Game 5, the Celtics squandered another chance to close out the underdog Sixers on Thursday, losing 106-93 in Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena to even the series at 3-3.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
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In April, two studies noted the critical current is in danger of weakening or even collapsing due to climate change, which could impact the climate and weather for hundreds of millions of people.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, this caution appears to be backfiring.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
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The president’s attacks and threats on Fed policymakers themselves are also backfiring.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boomeranging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boomeranging. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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