1. water that flows backward, especially the water thrown back by the motion of oars, propellers, or waves
2. an undesirable result or consequence of an event or action

1. to affect as a consequence or result

Examples

• The boat’s backwash rocked the smaller vessels nearby.
• Swimming behind the motorboat, we got caught in its backwash.
• The economic crisis created a backwash of unemployment.
• The scandal’s backwash affected the entire organization.
• Political tensions from the election continued to backwash through the community.
• The waves created a strong backwash against the seawall.