hit back

verb

hit back; hitting back; hits back

informal

: to attack or criticize someone after being attacked or criticized by them

Weary of her rival's accusations, the candidate hit back with an aggressive ad campaign.

The team hit back with a touchdown of their own.

—often + at

The Senator hit back at his critics.

Examples of hit back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of hitting back or offering defensive replies, Hunter Biden has responded with candid admissions of his past drug use and calls for unity. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026

Joe Mack, Hernandez and Otto Lopez hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. —Miami Herald, 3 June 2026

Castro and Rumfield hit back-to-back homers in the fourth off starter Grayson Rodriguez (2-2), who gave up eight runs, eight hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. —Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Raman, meanwhile, has hit back at Pratt’s attacks, citing his support of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and other comments. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 June 2026

Rhymes for hit back

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback