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
The Crabbs gave up the first four points in the second set, answered back by scoring the next four and only trailed once more at 5-4 before securing the 21-18 win.
—
Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
The Raiders were up 28-19, but the Eagles answered back and brought the game within two points.
—Raul Avila, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
The mutual friend called Jack, asked for his height, and relayed the answer back to Hagerty.
—Hannah Shirley, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns, who answered back with a record-setting contract extension.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for answer back
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Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
The Raiders were up 28-19, but the Eagles answered back and brought the game within two points.
—Raul Avila, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
The mutual friend called Jack, asked for his height, and relayed the answer back to Hagerty.
—Hannah Shirley, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns, who answered back with a record-setting contract extension.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 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 21 Oct. 2025.
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