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 The feminist progress of the past half century has been met with a virulent backlash of misogyny. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 The backlash boosted Bell, with the help of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, which heavily targeted Bush. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 Sophie Cunningham’s stance on protecting women’s sports has become a major flash point across the WNBA, and the backlash followed her supporters to Minnesota on Sunday. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Infantino had proposed creating a $20 billion company to run the World Cup with private investors, but drew backlash that grew every day since Tuesday’s announcement. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backlash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backlash
reaction
Noun
  • Iran did not offer any immediate public reaction to the announcement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Solo Sikoa received a huge face reaction in his tag team victory, while Nick Aldis was reinstated as SmackDown GM despite a loss to Gunther.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 2 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 6 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 torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All