strike back

phrasal verb

struck back; struck back also stricken back; striking back; strikes back

: to try to hurt someone who has hurt one or treated one badly

When he called her lazy, she immediately struck back by calling him fat.

—often + at

He angrily struck back at his critics.

Examples of strike back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And, as a result of Trump’s aggressive tariff tactics, both Canada and China have already struck back with retaliatory tariffs. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025

Related article What will cost Americans more from sweeping tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada China immediately struck back Tuesday, announcing tariffs on chicken, pork, beef and some agricultural imports from the US, according to a statement from the State Council Tariff Commission. —Lucy Bayly, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025

The lead, a mild-mannered housewife and mother of five (well-deserved lead actress nominee Fernanda Torres), looks fragile but uses her particular set of skills — dignity, warmth, presentation — to strike back in ways the dictatorship doesn’t know how to parry. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Ukraine has struck back, hitting Russia's oil depots. —Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025

Rhymes for strike back

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• quarterback
• saddleback