backlash
Hostile collective response
Backlash is a strong negative reaction against a change or trend, typically from people who feel threatened by it: The policy provoked immediate backlash, backlash against feminism.
The word comes from machinery—the jarring backward motion when gears or chains have too much play.
The social sense captures that same sudden, forceful recoil.
Noisy public disturbance
- outcryLoud public protest
- furorIntense public excitement
- criticismJudgment of faults
- outrageFierce moral indignation
protest · condemnation · opposition · dissent · scandal · denunciation · rebuke · censure
Unintended negative consequences
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
snapback · boomerang · counterreaction · whiplash · pushback · rebuff · ricochet · reversal
Results following an event
- ramificationsResulting effects or outcomes
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- effectResult of a cause
- outcomeFinal result of events
result · upshot · price · cost · damage · harm · penalty · blowback
Active resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
rebellion · insurgence · uprising · boycott · noncompliance · refusal · stand · mobilization
Backward force from discharge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
counterattack · retaliation · comeuppance · counterstrike · tit-for-tat · reciprocation · counterpunch · score-settling
uproar
Noisy public disturbance
outrage · protest · condemnation · opposition · dissent · scandal · denunciation · rebuke · censure · objection
blowback
Unintended negative consequences
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- recoilBackward force from discharge
kickback · snapback · boomerang · counterreaction · whiplash · pushback · rebuff · ricochet · reversal · countereffect
aftermath
Results following an event
- ramificationsResulting effects or outcomes
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- effectResult of a cause
outcome · result · upshot · price · cost · damage · harm · penalty · blowback · ripple
opposition
Active resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
revolt · rebellion · insurgence · uprising · boycott · noncompliance · refusal · stand · mobilization · groundswell
recoil
Backward force from discharge
snapback · jolt · lurch · slack · play · gear · tension · whip · snap · thrust
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
vengeance · counterattack · retaliation · comeuppance · counterstrike · tit-for-tat · reciprocation · counterpunch · score-settling · avenging
reel
Winding cylinder or dance
- backlashblowback, outcry, outrage, pushback, fallout
- reviewsreview, reviews, rating, ratings, critic
- music criticismcritic, album reviews, critique, review score, album review
- anti-modernismLuddism, Luddite, technophobia, technophobe, anti-technology
- roboticsrobot, android, humanoid, robotic arm, servo
- consequencesconsequence, consequences, result, results, effect
backlashacclaim
Enthusiastic public approval
applause · praise · celebration · ovation · cheers
backlashsupport
To uphold or sustain
embrace · endorsement · momentum · rallying · championing
backlashacceptance
Consent to receive
welcome · adoption · acquiescence · consent · assent