backlash

American  

[bak-lash] / ˈbækˌlæʃ /

noun

1. a sudden, forceful backward movement; recoil.

2. a strong or violent reaction, as to some social or political change.

   a backlash of angry feeling among Southern conservatives within the party.

3. Machinery.

   1. the space between the thickness of a gear tooth and the width of the space between teeth in the mating gear, designed to allow for a film of lubricant, binding from heat expansion and eccentricity, or manufacturing inaccuracies.

   2. play or lost motion between loosely fitting machine parts.

4. Angling. a snarled line on a reel, usually caused by a faulty cast.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make or undergo a backlash.

backlash British  

/ ˈbækˌlæʃ /

noun

1. a reaction or recoil between interacting worn or badly fitting parts in a mechanism

2. the play between parts

3. a sudden and adverse reaction, esp to a political or social development

   a public backlash against the government is inevitable

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Etymology

Origin of backlash

First recorded in 1805–15; back ² + lash ¹

Example Sentences

But the backlash was not due to the collision itself.

From BBC

Even before users voted with their feet, Disney was facing a backlash from its own content creators.

From Los Angeles Times

However, Kugelman sees some potential for backlash if after all this speculation of talks, both sides simply resume with even more force.

From BBC

After remarks to business groups and comments to journalists that he had managed to get by without French for years, Rousseau faced backlash from politicians.

From Barron's

There are concerns within the KMT that a Cheng-Xi meeting could trigger voter backlash in Taiwan's district elections later this year.

From Barron's

Related Words

• reaction
• repercussion
• resentment
• resistance
• response
• retaliation