boomerangs

verb

present tense third-person singular of boomerang
as in collapses
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 boomerangs Finding a way to bring value to others always boomerangs in some way. — Victoria Thomas, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boomerangs
  1. collapses
  2. flops
  3. backfires
Verb
  • Corruption deepened, the economy entered one of the worst collapses in modern history, and a humanitarian crisis pushed close to a third of the population out of the country.
    — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
  • By contrast, Roberts’s opinion in Slaughter collapses this distinction.
    — George Thomas, The Atlantic, 30 June 2026
Definition of collapses
Verb
  • But when weighed down by the moisture, the grass flops over and doesn't present itself as well to the cutting blade.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 June 2026
  • One of the best bigs in [expletive] basketball history flops.
    — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Definition of flops
Verb
  • Many students mistakenly believe selecting an obscure major guarantees an admissions advantage by reducing competition; however, this strategy usually backfires.
    — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • Chopper 4 footage showed large flames burning through trees near the turnpike as crews lit backfires—a tactic used to extinguish a wildfire by burning fuel ahead of the approaching fire line.
    — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of backfires

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boomeranging
boomerangs
booming
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Cite this Entry

“Boomerangs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boomerangs. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on boomerangs

Nglish: Translation of boomerangs for Spanish Speakers

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