as in to backfire
to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect
the well-meaning gesture boomeranged, since he ended up being offended by it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boomerang
Verb
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Any attempt to impose rigor and order on them tends to backfire in some unexpected way anyway.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2025 -
The decision immediately backfired as the ball came right back to him.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Scanner reports also said a part of a warehouse structure collapsed in the 2500 block of Texas 121 in Lewisville, and roof damage was reported at a warehouse in the 900 block of South Airport Drive in McKinney.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2025
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More often, husbands or wives or children collapse in tears when the cremains are found.—
David Wharton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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If Dune: Part One flopped, there would be no sequel.—
AJ Thomas,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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Firestarter was originally supposed to be directed by John Carpenter, but the studio rejected him because The Thing had flopped.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Boomerang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boomerang. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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