hit back

VERB

counter

Synonyms

STRONGEST

counteract foil offset oppose resist respond retaliate ward off

STRONG

backtalk beat bilk buck circumvent contravene cross dash disappoint frustrate hinder match meet parry pit return ruin vie

WEAK

counterwork fly in the face of have bone to pick play off take on thumbs-down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist help support

STRONG

agree allow divide encourage facilitate permit separate

VERB

revenge

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avenge get back at vindicate

STRONG

defend fix get justify match punish reciprocate redress repay requite retort return score square

WEAK

be out for blood even the score fight back fix one's wagon get even give comeuppance kick back make reprisal pay back pay back in spades pay off return the compliment settle up settle with stick it to take an eye for an eye turn the tables on venge

Antonyms

STRONG

deny depart fail leave lose refuse request surrender take

WEAK

forgive pardon sympathize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi hit back on Sunday, saying "nothing could be further from the truth".

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

BP’s woes worsened Wednesday as former chairman Albert Manifold hit back at the oil major after it ousted him for what it described as governance and conduct issues.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

It felt bleak when Ryan Gravenberch curled home a sixth-minute opener, but Chelsea hit back to level when Enzo Fernandez's free-kick drifted in.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Trump hit back at the chancellor on Tuesday, saying on social media, “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

This is another thing life is throwing at me, and I need to hit back before I lose Autumn.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

hit back

Example Sentences

Related Words