hits back
Strikes in return
Hits back means to retaliate or respond forcefully after being attacked or criticized.
The phrase appears constantly in headlines: Senator hits back at critics, Company hits back after viral complaint.
It implies a defensive counterstrike rather than unprovoked aggression—you hit back only after being hit first.
- replyVerbal or written answer
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
- counterpunchRetaliatory boxing blow
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
counteroffensive · rejoinder · get even · response · retort · vengeance · riposte · comeback · countermeasure · defiance · lashes out · rebuttal · denunciation · indignation · jab · defense · uppercut · slap
aggression vs. submission
hits backsubmits
Yields to authority
yields · capitulates · surrenders · backs down · gives in
hit, hits, hitting, hitter, hitters, back, backs, backed, backing