flak

noun

ˈflak How to pronounce flak (audio)
variants or less commonly flack
plural flak also flack
1
: antiaircraft guns
2
: the bursting shells fired from flak
3
: criticism, opposition
She has taken a good deal of flak for espousing that view.—E. J. Kahn, Jr.
When I was a restaurant bar manager I sometimes found myself taking flak from my customers for our high prices …—Rob Hill

Examples of flak in a Sentence

He caught heavy flak for his decision to oppose the new school. He took a lot of flak from the other kids for his unusual appearance.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has taken unfair flak from nativist elements of the MAGA base. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2026 The series has faced a lot of flak for its current cars that rely more heavily on battery power and have effectively changed how drivers have to drive. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 Bowie got a lot of flak from fans — and his co-stars — for what his character did to Raj during the Stuart Fails To Save the Universe‘s Comic-Com panel. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 July 2026 On Thursday, Kim Kardashian caught flak online when a post featuring the Skims mogul and her sister Khloe Kardashian swigging tequila from a boat on a lake published shortly after Jenner announced the news of MJ’s death. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flak

Word History

Etymology

German, from Fliegerabwehrkanonen, from Flieger flyer + Abwehr defense + Kanonen cannons

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flak was in 1938

Phrases Containing flak

Rhymes for flak

See All Rhymes for flak

Browse Nearby Words

flajolotite
flak
flak curtain
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flak. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

flak

noun
variants also flack
ˈflak
plural flak also flack
1
: antiaircraft guns or the bursting shells fired from them
2
: severe criticism
Etymology

derived from the German word for "antiaircraft guns," from the first letters of Flieger "flier" and Abwehr "defense" and Kanonen "cannons"

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