strike back

verb

struck back; striking back; strikes back

intransitive verb

: to hurt someone in return
struck back at their enemies for the attack

Examples of strike back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The projectiles failed to reach their target, but the Israeli military struck back fiercely. Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026 Then regime loyalists quickly struck back. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026 The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran and Tehran quickly struck back. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026 After the setback came to light, her husband, Miguel Reyes — according to the UFT’s general counsel, Beth Norton — allegedly struck back. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strike back

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strike back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strike%20back. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster