answer back
phrasal verb
answered back; answering back; answers back
somewhat informal
: to reply to someone especially in a rude way
impolite children who answer back when their teacher corrects them
Examples of answer back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, the Aggies answered back, pushing their lead back to 22 and forcing a South Carolina timeout.
—
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026
The First Wives Club alum gave a NSFW answer back in 2024 at her Love-In Gala, telling E!
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Jackson answered back three plays later.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
But Norwell wasted no time answering back.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for answer back
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.
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026
The First Wives Club alum gave a NSFW answer back in 2024 at her Love-In Gala, telling E!
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Jackson answered back three plays later.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
But Norwell wasted no time answering back.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for answer back
Cite this Entry
“Answer back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answer%20back. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
