fight back

phrasal verb

fought back; fighting back; fights back
1
: to attack or try to defeat someone who is attacking or trying to defeat oneself
We can't just let them make these accusations against us. We need to fight back!
2
: to make a new effort against an opponent
They fell behind early in the game, but they were able to fight back and tie the score in the second half.

Examples of fight 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.
The court released his financial information after his lawyers fought back against prosecutors, who sought additional restitution for the victims' families. Michael Ruiz , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025 People should fight back if a mountain lion does attack. Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025 Parents and alumni of Jesuit High School in Carmichael are doggedly fighting back against the Catholic all-boys school’s recent decision to begin accepting girls in 2027. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025 The Wildcats opened up a 15-point lead in the first half, more than doubling Charlotte’s point total, but Fearne’s group fought back to close the first 20 minutes, connecting on a corner three ball and Bonke slamming home a dunk as the buzzer sounded to trim the lead to 10 points at the break. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fight back

Cite this Entry

“Fight back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fight%20back. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.

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