fireback

1 of 2

noun

fire·​back ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbak 

: an often decorated cast-iron plate lining the back wall of a fireplace

fire back

2 of 2

verb

fired back; firing back; fires back

intransitive verb

: to answer someone quickly and usually angrily

After his statement, his opponents fired back.

—often used with at

She fired back at her critics.

transitive verb

: to utter as a quick and angry response

He fired back a comparable insult …

—Drew T. Brown III

Examples of fireback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The head was followed by bright yellowish-orange tail feathers, easily identifiable as the fireback. — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025

Verb

Yet Iranian forces are still able to fire back, sending missiles and drones toward US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

The Matsui campaign fired back, pointing to out-of-state political action committee spending on Vang’s behalf. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1566, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1880, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for fireback

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