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
Probst also did his part, getting some of his bite back in interactions with the cast.
—
Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Frazier, a freshman, took a handoff from Beck and burst up the middle, sending fireworks into the sky above Sanford Stadium.
UCLA Sports
Can UCLA bite back against Fresno State?
—Paul Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
However, Murphy isn’t afraid to bite back, including in a recent interview.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2024
Rebecca has found the one social forum that doesn’t bite back, that subordinates judgment to context and compassion.
—Marc Weingarten, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2024
Guests also love the daily tradition that starts by the fireplace in the main lobby, processes to a ceremonial firing of a replica 19th-century cannon on the edge of Mobile Bay, and finishes with light bites back at the hotel.
—Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2024
Layoffs bite back Mass redundancies have hardly been rare since the COVID-19 pandemic, as companies seek to cut costs.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 7 May 2024
Drake responds to Kendrick Lamar's grooming diss track lyrics
In his latest diss track, Drake bites back at Lamar's lyrical allegations of grooming and pedophilia.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 6 May 2024
Edward Segarra Everybody’s a critic, but Sydney Sweeney is biting back.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
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Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Frazier, a freshman, took a handoff from Beck and burst up the middle, sending fireworks into the sky above Sanford Stadium.
UCLA Sports
Can UCLA bite back against Fresno State?
—Paul Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
However, Murphy isn’t afraid to bite back, including in a recent interview.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2024
Rebecca has found the one social forum that doesn’t bite back, that subordinates judgment to context and compassion.
—Marc Weingarten, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2024
Guests also love the daily tradition that starts by the fireplace in the main lobby, processes to a ceremonial firing of a replica 19th-century cannon on the edge of Mobile Bay, and finishes with light bites back at the hotel.
—Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2024
Layoffs bite back Mass redundancies have hardly been rare since the COVID-19 pandemic, as companies seek to cut costs.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 7 May 2024
Drake responds to Kendrick Lamar's grooming diss track lyrics
In his latest diss track, Drake bites back at Lamar's lyrical allegations of grooming and pedophilia.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 6 May 2024
Edward Segarra Everybody’s a critic, but Sydney Sweeney is biting back.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near bite back
Cite this Entry
“Bite back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bite%20back. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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