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
Taken together with Booker’s herculean effort, these events could serve as a catalyst for Trump’s opponents to strike back in the coming months.
—
Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Canada and the European Union strike back at Trump tariffs.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
And, as a result of Trump’s aggressive tariff tactics, both Canada and China have already struck back with retaliatory tariffs.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025
Related article What will cost Americans more from sweeping tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada
China immediately struck back Tuesday, announcing tariffs on chicken, pork, beef and some agricultural imports from the US, according to a statement from the State Council Tariff Commission.
—Lucy Bayly, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strike back
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Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Canada and the European Union strike back at Trump tariffs.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
And, as a result of Trump’s aggressive tariff tactics, both Canada and China have already struck back with retaliatory tariffs.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025
Related article What will cost Americans more from sweeping tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada
China immediately struck back Tuesday, announcing tariffs on chicken, pork, beef and some agricultural imports from the US, according to a statement from the State Council Tariff Commission.
—Lucy Bayly, CNN, 4 Mar. 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 13 Apr. 2025.
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