hit back
phrasal 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
Canada has hit back with tariffs on $60 billion of American goods, with more threatened, while some provincial leaders have acted to remove U.S. alcohol from sale.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Related article Madonna hits back at ageist criticism after Grammy Awards appearance
Roberta’s sensibilities may have inadvertently left a mark on Madonna, according to Seidelman, observing that some of Roberta’s girlishness in later scenes appeared to have rubbed off on the singer.
—Scarlett Harris, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Backlash: Tesla removed from Vancouver International Auto Show due to safety concerns
The White House defended its efforts on behalf of Musk and his company and hit back at Tesla critics like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic nominee for vice president.
—Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2025
The members of the Jan. 6 investigative committee are hitting back at President Trump for his threat to nullify the presidential pardons surrounding their work.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hit back
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Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Related article Madonna hits back at ageist criticism after Grammy Awards appearance
Roberta’s sensibilities may have inadvertently left a mark on Madonna, according to Seidelman, observing that some of Roberta’s girlishness in later scenes appeared to have rubbed off on the singer.
—Scarlett Harris, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Backlash: Tesla removed from Vancouver International Auto Show due to safety concerns
The White House defended its efforts on behalf of Musk and his company and hit back at Tesla critics like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic nominee for vice president.
—Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2025
The members of the Jan. 6 investigative committee are hitting back at President Trump for his threat to nullify the presidential pardons surrounding their work.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025
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 10 Apr. 2025.
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