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

Ukraine has hit back with increasingly efficient long-range attacks, striking Russian energy facilities, manufacturing plants and military depots. —ABC News, 9 May 2026

The two have been part of hitting back to back home runs — once as part of three in a row along with Montgomery — three times this season. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026

Shortstop Vance Sheahan and Milano hit back-to-back RBI singles — Milano’s being his second hit of the inning — before a Peralta RBI groundout gave Louisville its second out of the frame. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026

Leo, who will mark his first year as pope Friday, has hit back. —Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 7 May 2026

Rhymes for hit back

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