bite back
phrasal verb
bit back; bitten back also bit back; biting back; bites back
informal
1
: to attack or criticize someone after being attacked or criticized by them
Weary of her rival's accusations, the candidate bit back with an aggressive ad campaign.
—often + atShe bit back at her rival with an aggressive ad campaign.
2
: to stop oneself from saying (something)
I attempted to smile sweetly while biting back angry comments.
Examples of bite back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Harvard’s substantial federal endowment, which distributed $2.4 billion in the fiscal year ending in June 2024, also puts it in a unique financial position to bite back against the Trump Administration’s attacks.
—
Solcyré Burga, Time, 27 May 2025
But as much as this ragtag gang might try to insulate itself from the world, reality finds cruel ways of biting back.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Speaking in Manchester, England, the musician criticized the government for the second time during his Land of Hopes and Dreams tour, despite Trump previously biting back.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
Probst also did his part, getting some of his bite back in interactions with the cast.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025
Apple bites back Apple stock jumped 2.3% on Monday morning, lifted by hopes the company will be temporarily exempt from new electronics tariffs.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 14 Apr. 2025
Hadwin got the short end of the stick because the track finally decided to bite back, and someone happened to have a camera there to film the whole ordeal.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Everybody’s a critic, but Sydney Sweeney is biting back.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Microsoft’s campaign to lure Chrome users over the Edge has intensified this year, prompting Google execs to bite back.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
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.
Solcyré Burga, Time, 27 May 2025
But as much as this ragtag gang might try to insulate itself from the world, reality finds cruel ways of biting back.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Speaking in Manchester, England, the musician criticized the government for the second time during his Land of Hopes and Dreams tour, despite Trump previously biting back.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
Probst also did his part, getting some of his bite back in interactions with the cast.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025
Apple bites back Apple stock jumped 2.3% on Monday morning, lifted by hopes the company will be temporarily exempt from new electronics tariffs.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 14 Apr. 2025
Hadwin got the short end of the stick because the track finally decided to bite back, and someone happened to have a camera there to film the whole ordeal.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Everybody’s a critic, but Sydney Sweeney is biting back.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Microsoft’s campaign to lure Chrome users over the Edge has intensified this year, prompting Google execs to bite back.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bite back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bite%20back. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share