bite back
phrasal verb
bit back; bitten back also bit back; biting back; bites back
informal
1
: to attack or criticize someone after being attacked or criticized by them
Weary of her rival's accusations, the candidate bit back with an aggressive ad campaign.
—often + atShe bit back at her rival with an aggressive ad campaign.
2
: to stop oneself from saying (something)
I attempted to smile sweetly while biting back angry comments.
Examples of bite back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hadwin got the short end of the stick because the track finally decided to bite back, and someone happened to have a camera there to film the whole ordeal.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Everybody’s a critic, but Sydney Sweeney is biting back.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Microsoft’s campaign to lure Chrome users over the Edge has intensified this year, prompting Google execs to bite back.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
While the Tigers slumped, the Gators kept biting back, partially with the help of Mizzou foul trouble.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025
Probst also did his part, getting some of his bite back in interactions with the cast.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Frazier, a freshman, took a handoff from Beck and burst up the middle, sending fireworks into the sky above Sanford Stadium.
UCLA Sports
Can UCLA bite back against Fresno State?
—Paul Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
However, Murphy isn’t afraid to bite back, including in a recent interview.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2024
Rebecca has found the one social forum that doesn’t bite back, that subordinates judgment to context and compassion.
—Marc Weingarten, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2024
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Everybody’s a critic, but Sydney Sweeney is biting back.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
Microsoft’s campaign to lure Chrome users over the Edge has intensified this year, prompting Google execs to bite back.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
While the Tigers slumped, the Gators kept biting back, partially with the help of Mizzou foul trouble.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025
Probst also did his part, getting some of his bite back in interactions with the cast.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Frazier, a freshman, took a handoff from Beck and burst up the middle, sending fireworks into the sky above Sanford Stadium.
UCLA Sports
Can UCLA bite back against Fresno State?
—Paul Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
However, Murphy isn’t afraid to bite back, including in a recent interview.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2024
Rebecca has found the one social forum that doesn’t bite back, that subordinates judgment to context and compassion.
—Marc Weingarten, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Bite back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bite%20back. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
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