hit back
phrasal verb
hit back; hitting back; hits back
informal
: to attack or criticize someone after being attacked or criticized by them
Weary of her rival's accusations, the candidate hit back with an aggressive ad campaign.
The team hit back with a touchdown of their own.
—often + atThe Senator hit back at his critics.
Examples of hit back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stevie Wonder has hit back at a rumor that suggests the legendary R&B singer-songwriter isn't actually blind.
—
EW.com, 15 July 2025
China hit back at European Union trade restrictions, weeks before a summit meant to celebrate 50 years of the pair officially establishing diplomatic relations.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
Whether a result of his combative personality, almost bottomless wealth, or fury at being tossed aside, Musk has chosen not to roll over, as so many spurned Trump allies have, and has instead hit back.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 7 July 2025
McElroy hit back in the interview, saying the government funding was far from sufficient to cover the programs and the church had to pick up the shortfall.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hit back
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EW.com, 15 July 2025
China hit back at European Union trade restrictions, weeks before a summit meant to celebrate 50 years of the pair officially establishing diplomatic relations.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
Whether a result of his combative personality, almost bottomless wealth, or fury at being tossed aside, Musk has chosen not to roll over, as so many spurned Trump allies have, and has instead hit back.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 7 July 2025
McElroy hit back in the interview, saying the government funding was far from sufficient to cover the programs and the church had to pick up the shortfall.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hit back
Cite this Entry
“Hit back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hit%20back. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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