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 + at

The Senator hit back at his critics.

Examples of hit back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

More news to know now Israel vows to hit back at Iran. —

Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024 Iran, in turn, has vowed to hit back much harder if Israel strikes it. —

Alexander Smith, NBC News, 6 Oct. 2024 But New York hit back, Jesse Winker tying the game with a two-run triple against his old team, before a sac fly from Starling Marte gave the Mets the lead. —

Jamie Barton, CNN, 2 Oct. 2024 The other side: Democrats have spent nearly $9 million nationwide in an attempt to refute the GOP attacks or hit back at Republican opposition to broader LGBTQ rights. —

Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hit back