BOOMERANG Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

boomerang

verb

Definition of boomerang

as in to backfire

to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect the well-meaning gesture boomeranged, since he ended up being offended by it

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of boomerang As of February of this year, Eschenbach is out and Bhusri has, in a maneuver that Disney’s Bob Iger might admire, boomeranged back into the hot seat for one last job, Ocean’s Eleven style. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 Today, Netanyahu’s boast has boomeranged, transformed from an electoral asset into an advertisement of his diminished influence. — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 Bare nails seem to boomerang around in the culture every other year as a sort of palette cleanser. — Sable Yong, Allure, 11 June 2026 The second season finale saw Deborah fire Ava to free her up to be her own person and chase her career, only for the two to boomerang back together. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 May 2026 Mary, our thirtysomething narrator, has recently boomeranged back to her hometown (York) after experiencing a break with reality that may or may not be psychotic. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 Time-and-date karma was always going to boomerang. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 The ball skidded though the green, banged off the Truist fencing and boomeranged right back into the same bunker. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2026 Those lower judges eventually rejected his arguments, and Reed boomeranged back to the justices. — Ella Lee, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for boomerang

Verb

But Lawrence and Caruso both cautioned that today’s algorithms can also backfire by pushing content in ways that miss the mark.

— Travis Clark, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Her emphasis on makeup, bathing and house chores quickly backfired, because she was seen as promoting old-fashioned gender roles and excessive working hours that have long been considered problems in Japan.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of backfire

Verb

Flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall in the city of Limoges, in central France, causing its roof to collapse and nearly destroying the building.

— SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
The students who stepped forward when their teacher collapsed playing basketball in Michigan illustrate what becomes possible when CPR skills are taught before they are needed.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of collapse

Verb

But no matter where your opinion falls on that particular spectrum, the film seems destined to flop upon its initial release before being reclaimed as a cult classic over the next quarter century.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
The notorious Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker seems to be hitting pause after the group’s newest effort to rake in funds appears to have flopped.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of flop

Browse Nearby Words

boomed

boomerang

boomeranged

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“Boomerang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boomerang. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of boomerang

verb

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