answer back
Respond with sass
To answer back is to reply defiantly or rudely to someone in authority: Don't answer back to your mother.
The phrase implies talking back when silence or compliance is expected.
It's most commonly used by parents and teachers scolding children for impertinence.
Quick, cutting reply
- sassImpertinent verbal attitude
- backtalkInsolent verbal response
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
cheek · impudence · disrespect · rebelliousness · resistance · noncompliance · contumacy · recalcitrance
Give a reply
acknowledgment · feedback · echo · rebuttal · refutation · counterclaim · riposte · repartee
retort
Quick, cutting reply
- sassImpertinent verbal attitude
- backtalkInsolent verbal response
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
disobedience · cheek · impudence · disrespect · rebelliousness · resistance · noncompliance · contumacy · recalcitrance · opposition
respond
Give a reply
reaction · acknowledgment · feedback · echo · rebuttal · refutation · counterclaim · riposte · repartee · quip
- backtalkbacktalk, sass, lip, backchat, mouthing off
- retributionretribution, revenge, payback, vengeance, retaliation
answer backsay nothing
Refrain from speaking
hold one's tongue · keep quiet · remain silent · bite one's tongue · hold one's peace
back, answer, answers, answering, answered, unanswered, answerable, answerers, answerer