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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Example Sentences

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 Less than one year later, the golden handcuffs have boomeranged back. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 19 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for boomerang

Verb

Some people were chatting outside the church when something sounded like an engine backfiring.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
The plan appears to be backfiring spectacularly, at least in south Texas.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of backfire

Verb

Support for the populist had eroded since 16 people were killed in 2024 when a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Support for the right-wing populist had eroded since 16 people were killed in 2024 when a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad.

— Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of collapse

Verb

Because the flopping infraction carries no suspension, George remains fully cleared to suit up Friday when Boston hosts his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The importance of competition There are three specific reasons why vote buying usually flops.

— Kenneth Greene, The Conversation, 21 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of boomerang

verb

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