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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Apologies that are seen as stiff, corporate, and not empathetic can backfire and extend or worsen a crisis.—
Edward Segal,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025 -
And dramatic scare tactics about disease can backfire by pushing people toward extreme positions.—
Avi Dor,
The Conversation,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The security perimeter collapses, and the risk increases exponentially.—
Craig Davies,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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Video shows the man collapse to the ground, deputies said.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
26 May 2025
Verb
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The company’s attempt at an autonomous vehicle also flopped.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
29 May 2025
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The musical famously flopped upon its 1988 Broadway debut, closing after just 68 performances.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Boomerang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boomerang. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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