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 Look for a thriving black market where the big buyers are middlemen who boomerang the produce to new buyers at a fat profit. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 Aug. 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

Trying to disinherit someone simply by omitting them from the will could backfire.

— Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Government's efforts to protect consumers backfire Our healthcare reporter reveals how a government fix to help consumers avoid surprise medical bills may have backfired and end up costing consumers much higher insurance premiums.

— Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of backfire

Verb

Sunny Patel’s father, Jitendra (ph), traveled to the region from New York for a spiritual retreat, crossing the border into Tibet to start the trek when the glacier collapsed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Scientists who studied satellite images said bedrock underneath a glacier high in the Himalayan region had collapsed, taking part of the glacier with it.

— Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of collapse

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boomed

boomerang

boomeranged

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“Boomerang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boomerang. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of boomerang

verb

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