strike back
phrasal verb
struck back; struck back also stricken back; striking back; strikes back
: to try to hurt someone who has hurt one or treated one badly
When he called her lazy, she immediately struck back by calling him fat.
—often + atHe angrily struck back at his critics.
Examples of strike back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Bitter Mai Tai is the cocktail striking back.
—
Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
However, Plymouth South struck back with Durocher’s second passing touchdown, which was a 25-yarder to Robert Anzalone to make it 21-14.
—Zachary McMahon, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
If Russia continues to launch drones that penetrate NATO airspace, then NATO should reserve the right to strike back against the launch sites and drone control stations in Russia or Belarus.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But when fans grew subdued, Bay struck back, courtesy of a header from Zambia striker Racheal Kundananji just before halftime.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strike back
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Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
However, Plymouth South struck back with Durocher’s second passing touchdown, which was a 25-yarder to Robert Anzalone to make it 21-14.
—Zachary McMahon, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
If Russia continues to launch drones that penetrate NATO airspace, then NATO should reserve the right to strike back against the launch sites and drone control stations in Russia or Belarus.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But when fans grew subdued, Bay struck back, courtesy of a header from Zambia striker Racheal Kundananji just before halftime.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strike back
Cite this Entry
“Strike back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strike%20back. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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