pushback

American  

[poosh-bak] / ˈpʊʃˌbæk /

noun

pushbacks plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pushbacks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pushback

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pushback pushbacks

It is hard to say why this, of all the sensitive issues that are censored in China, has galvanised such pushback.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

Social and political pushback against AI is likely to escalate in step with how effective the technology is at replacing human labor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Beyond financing concerns, she also lamented the "serious pushback on human rights" for those with HIV, which was "pushing people underground" and away from receiving testing, prevention and treatment.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

The pushback against “party and dance” landed because it sounded like the whole plan.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 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

Rising electricity rates are generating pushbacks on data-center growth.

From Barron's ● Jan. 29, 2026

Gascón’s data-driven pushbacks have done little to chip at public perceptions of crime run amok.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2024

But they again couldn’t hold on and wound up losing, 4-3 in overtime to spoil a night otherwise highlighted by one of the team’s better pushbacks in quite some time.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 9, 2023

Greece's government, which describes its migration policy as "tough but fair", has repeatedly denied pushbacks, saying it intercepts boats within the framework of international law.

From Reuters ● Nov. 2, 2023

But in the face of similar accusations from human rights groups the government has denied pushbacks, saying any activities to prevent illegal entry into Turkey are carried out within the scope of border management.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2023