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 + atThe Senator hit back at his critics.
Examples of hit back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz hit back-to-back solo home runs in the fifth for the A's.
—
ABC News, 13 June 2026
Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers hit back-to-back home runs to start the bottom of the inning before the Giants’ two hottest bats, Jung Hoo Lee and Eldridge, both walked to continue the improbable comeback.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Kathy Griffin has hit back after her longtime friend Adam Carolla criticized her looks and her support for Karen Bass.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
Israel hit back with strikes on the Islamic Republic.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hit back
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ABC News, 13 June 2026
Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers hit back-to-back home runs to start the bottom of the inning before the Giants’ two hottest bats, Jung Hoo Lee and Eldridge, both walked to continue the improbable comeback.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Kathy Griffin has hit back after her longtime friend Adam Carolla criticized her looks and her support for Karen Bass.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
Israel hit back with strikes on the Islamic Republic.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hit back
Cite this Entry
“Hit back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hit%20back. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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