Definition

1. Noun:

   • A strong negative reaction by a large number of people, especially to a social or political development: A sudden and forceful movement of opposition or resistance that occurs in response to an event, change, or statement.
   • A sudden backward movement or recoil: A mechanical term for a jarring or sudden backward motion, often after a forward force is applied.

2. Verb (less common):

   • To have an adverse or undesired reaction on the originator: To recoil or react in a way that negatively affects the person or entity that initiated an action.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The new policy sparked a significant public backlash.
  • There was a cultural backlash against the rapid changes in technology.
  • The gears jammed, causing a violent backlash in the machinery.

• Verb:

  • His attempt to discredit his opponent could backlash and damage his own reputation.

Advanced Usage

• "to face a backlash": to encounter strong opposition or criticism.
  • The company faced a severe backlash after the data breach was revealed.
• "to trigger/provoke a backlash": to cause a strong negative reaction.
  • The controversial speech provoked an immediate backlash from human rights groups.

Variants and Related Words

• Backlasher (noun, rare): One who participates in or contributes to a backlash.
• Backlash (as an adjective, in compound terms): Used in technical contexts, e.g., "backlash compensation" (in engineering).

Synonyms

• Noun: Recoil, reaction, resistance, opposition, reprisal, retaliation.
• Verb: Recoil, rebound, backfire, boomerang.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• To backlash against (something/someone): To react strongly and negatively against.
  • Voters are beginning to backlash against the government's austerity measures.

Related Idioms

• "A backlash is brewing": Suggests that strong opposition is developing and is likely to become public soon.
  • Following the announcement, a political backlash is brewing.
• "To suffer the backlash": To experience the negative consequences of a reaction.
  • The industry suffered the backlash of the environmental report.

Noun

1. an adverse reaction to some political or social occurrence
   • there was a backlash of intolerance
2. a movement back from an impact

Verb

1. come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
   • Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble