negative feedback

British

noun

See feedback

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

negative feedback Scientific

Feedback in which the output quantity or signal lowers the input quantity or signal. Negative feedback is used in natural and artificial regulatory mechanisms, as well as in the design of oscillators.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“What looked like a clean glide path into the weekend could instead fracture into yet another Monday-open negative feedback loop, where price chases headlines and then headlines chase price. “

From MarketWatch • Apr. 19, 2026

They also took measures to minimize negative feedback, such as re-posting property listings under new identities.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Segal reportedly expressed confusion over the backlash, telling reporters he didn’t understand why he was receiving negative feedback.

From Salon • Nov. 15, 2025

“Our research shows clearly that focusing on past performance reduces people’s acceptance of mixed or negative feedback and also reduces their motivation to change.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

I’ve gotten so far with this story that I’m nervous any negative feedback might make me quit.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023