pushback

American  

[poosh-bak] / ˈpʊʃˌbæk /

noun

1. a mechanism that forces an object backward.

2. opposition or resistance to a plan, action, statement, etc..

   The regulations got some pushback from farmers.

3. the forcing of an enemy to withdraw.

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Etymology

Origin of pushback

First recorded in 1940–45; push ( def. ) + back ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

A plan to strengthen California’s climate program faces pushback as industry groups and some lawmakers warn the changes could drive up already-high energy costs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

Minnesota’s state restrictions on predictions markets like Kalshi and Polymarket has gotten pushback from an unexpected source: the federal government.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

Kevin O’Leary, the TV personality known as “Mr. Wonderful,” has been dealing with broad pushback to a massive data center campus in Utah that he is backing.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

British business groups have been briefed on the move and the EU's pushback that such an ambitious ask would not be negotiable with the government's existing red lines on, for example, freedom of movement.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

She listened to the war reports on Radio Biafra more carefully, as if there might be clues about Ugwu in the ebullient voice reporting the pushback of the vandals, the successes of gallant Biafran soldiers.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie