blowback

noun

blow·​back ˈblō-ˌbak How to pronounce blowback (audio)
: an unforeseen and unwanted effect, result, or set of repercussions

Examples of blowback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Wednesday's settlement comes as Columbia has faced harsh blowback from activists and free-speech advocates who accused the Ivy League university of caving to Trump's demands, while other schools, like Harvard University, have taken a more hard-line stance against the administration. Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025 There’s already legal blowback, with more expected down the road. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025 Trump hasn’t always been the focus of the blowback. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 18 July 2025 But this works only if tenants are able to properly document violations, submit complaints and defend themselves from the blowback. Gabriel L. Schwartz, The Conversation, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowback

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blowback was in 1954

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Cite this Entry

“Blowback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blowback. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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