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blowback

British  
/ ˈbləʊˌbæk /

noun

  1. the escape to the rear of gases formed during the firing of a weapon or in a boiler, internal-combustion engine, etc

  2. the action of a light automatic weapon in which the expanding gases of the propellant force back the bolt, thus reloading the weapon

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even powerful women can’t escape the blowback, the fear.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

That being said, Sekera believes investors still need to keep an eye out for the potential economic blowback from the conflict.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Or as the progressive writer Matt Stoller tweeted over the weekend in a thread about the war’s political blowback, “I do not know why people assume Trump will be in office for much longer.”

From Slate • Mar. 23, 2026

Most mainstream analysts had thought a direct hit on Iran’s oil export infrastructure was unlikely because it would risk a sharp price spike, higher gasoline prices, and wider regional blowback.

From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026

He zinged her with that one, and even though it was super petty, all of us were yikes-ing from the blowback.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds