flack

IN BRIEF: n. - Artillery designed to shoot upward at airplanes; Intense adverse criticism; A slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer.

Tutor's tip: She said she'd rather catch "flak" (censure) as a "flack" (a press agent) in the newsroom than be known as a "flake." (eccentric person)

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has 3 meanings:

Meaning #1: a slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer
  Synonyms: flak catcher, flak, flack catcher

Meaning #2: intense adverse criticism
  Synonyms: fire, attack, flak, blast

Meaning #3: artillery designed to shoot upward at airplanes
  Synonyms: antiaircraft, antiaircraft gun, flak, pom-pom, ack-ack, ack-ack gun

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