hit back
Strike in response
To hit back is to retaliate after being attacked or criticized.
The phrase implies a response in kind—if someone strikes you, you strike them; if someone criticizes you publicly, you respond with your own criticism: The senator hit back at accusations of corruption.
It suggests fighting rather than absorbing the blow.
Offensive response to aggression
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
- fightbackRecovery after setback
- retaliateRespond to injury alike
counteraction · counterpunch · revenge · vengeance · retribution · payback · respond · reciprocate
Capacity to withstand force
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- defyResist or challenge openly
- stand upRise to feet
- refuseReject or garbage
protest · disobedience · oppose · challenge · confront · dissent · pushback · backlash
Recovery after decline
- reboundReturn after deflection
- resurgenceReturn after dormancy
- revivalReturn after decline
- turnaroundShift in opposite direction
rally · recover · regain · return · restoration · resilience · overcome · persevere
counterattack
Offensive response to aggression
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
- fightbackRecovery after setback
retaliate · counteraction · counterpunch · revenge · vengeance · retribution · payback · respond · reciprocate · answer
resistance
Capacity to withstand force
refuse · protest · disobedience · oppose · challenge · confront · dissent · pushback · backlash · reject
comeback
Recovery after decline
- reboundReturn after deflection
- resurgenceReturn after dormancy
- revivalReturn after decline
turnaround · rally · recover · regain · return · restoration · resilience · overcome · persevere · second wind
- retributionretribution, revenge, payback, vengeance, retaliation
- counterattackscounterattack, counterblow, counterstrike, counterpunch, counteroffensive
- idiomstime flies, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg, barking up the wrong tree