hit back

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 + at

The Senator hit back at his critics.

Examples of hit back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ukraine has hit back at Russia by launching long-range drones and missiles at oil refineries and storage depots. — Samya Kullab, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026

Other California politicians hit back Trump’s statement on Los Angeles and San Diego has since become fodder for California’s Democratic politicians ahead of the November general elections. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Collins hit back by pitching her seniority and her role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026

Crank’s campaign hit back when the Washington Examiner asked for comment. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for hit back

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback