backwash
backwash — noun
1. The water that flows in reverse — for instance, the water that rushes back towar
The water that flows in reverse — for instance, the water that rushes back toward the ocean once a wave breaks on the sand, or the water a moving vessel pushes out sideways as it passes.
The ferry's powerful backwash rocked the small boats tied to the wooden dock.
possessive phrase: ferry's backwash
Pedro watched the backwash from his speedboat spread in wide rings across the quiet lake.
After a wave crashed onto the sand, the backwash pulled tiny shells back into the sea.
Nia loved to feel the backwash swirl around her ankles at the water's edge.
- wake
Specifically the trail of disturbed water left behind a moving boat; broader than backwash, which emphasizes the backward direction
- undertow
A subsurface current that pulls water back out to sea; stronger and deeper than surface backwash
- wash
General term for the flow of water caused by a boat's movement; less directional than backwash
文法句型
the backwash of [boat/wave]
backwash from [source]
用法筆記
Often combined with a possessive noun or an 'of' phrase to specify the cause: 'the boat's backwash' or 'the backwash of the wave.'
常見錯誤
2. The unpleasant effect that spreads outward from an event or decision, affecting
The unpleasant effect that spreads outward from an event or decision, affecting people or places that were not directly involved — for example, the loss of jobs in nearby towns after a large factory closes.
The economic backwash of the factory closure affected shops and schools across the whole town.
adjective + backwash + of + noun phrase
Minho never expected the harsh social backwash from his online post — his friends stopped calling.
The backwash of the political scandal changed how people voted in local elections for years.
Lien felt the backwash of her company's budget cuts when her research team lost two members.
- aftermath
The period or consequences following a destructive event; stronger and more dramatic than backwash
- fallout
The negative results of a situation, especially in politics or public opinion; more intense than backwash
- repercussion
An indirect effect that spreads through a chain of cause and effect; more formal than backwash
- backlash
A strong negative reaction from a group of people; more active and hostile than backwash
文法句型
[adjective] backwash of [event]
the backwash of [event]
用法筆記
Almost always describes a negative consequence. Unlike 'aftermath' or 'fallout,' backwash can apply to smaller-scale personal or social effects, not only large disasters.