virulent backlash
- noun
- /ˈvɪrələnt ˈbækˌlæʃ/
- Literature
:
reacción virulenta
- The new policy sparked a virulent backlash from the community, leading to protests and widespread criticism.
Examples
-
And it is this assertion that has in turn provoked a virulent backlash against Native Americans in the region.
Academic text (2005) -
After the controversial decision, the organization faced a virulent backlash that included boycotts and negative press.
-
The scientist received a virulent backlash after publishing his findings, which many deemed unethical.
Synonyms
147
4.7
Unfriendly or angry actions and feelings toward someone
141
5.8
Strong opposition to social or political change that defends older ideas
106
4.8
A strong negative public reaction to an action or change
43
5.9
A negative reaction from people to a plan or change
32
4.4
Harsh repeated criticism of a person or their ideas
27
9.5
Bitter, angry language that attacks people
16
6.9
Hostile feeling between people or groups
6
8.4
Saying or writing very harsh and unfair things about someone to damage their reputation
4
4.2
Very strong negative comments that show disapproval
1
6.5
Strong public criticism of a person or action
1
3.3
A sudden large amount of criticism aimed at someone or something
A strong negative reaction from many people after a decision or action
A strong negative public reaction that follows an action or policy
A strong public reaction that opposes someone's words or actions
Antonyms
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is directly compositional: 'virulent' conveys biting hostility and 'backlash' denotes a strong negative reaction, so together they mean an extremely hostile or intense negative reaction. This adjective+noun intensification pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent words will understand the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Virulent backlash uses two simple images: virulent suggests something poisonous and fast-spreading, and backlash is a strong push back against someone or something. So the picture is of a harmful reaction that spreads quickly and hits many people, which is why it means 'a very strong, angry reaction that spreads to many people'.