Word
blowback
Phoneticsblow·back
Definition
n. the negative reaction or consequences that happen after you do something, especially something that was meant to be helpful or positive.
n. the unintended negative consequences or adverse public reaction resulting from a specific action or policy. Often used in political or social contexts to describe the backlash against a decision.
Examples
“The company faced blowback after raising prices so much.”
“The government's decision to close the border led to significant blowback from local business owners who rely on cross-border trade.”
“While the initial policy was intended to streamline bureaucracy, the resulting blowback from the public highlighted a deep-seated distrust of centralized administrative power.”
Examples
simple
“The company faced blowback after raising prices so much.”
contextual
“The government's decision to close the border led to significant blowback from local business owners who rely on cross-border trade.”
complex
“While the initial policy was intended to streamline bureaucracy, the resulting blowback from the public highlighted a deep-seated distrust of centralized administrative power.”
Real-World Examples
“Companies will likely face increased investor scrutiny or reputational blowback when they walk back climate commitments.” “It is hoped that coordinated action minimises the blowback to any one country from Israel or America, our political editor writes.” Etymology
Deverbal from blow back.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/blowback