strike back
Hit them back
To strike back is to retaliate—to return an attack or injury with one of your own.
The phrase implies a defensive response rather than initiating aggression: After years of criticism, she finally struck back at her detractors.
It carries connotations of justified counterattack, reclaiming power after being wronged.
Retaliatory strike
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
vengeance · avenge · reciprocate · respond · react · retort · tit-for-tat · countermeasure
counterblow
Retaliatory strike
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
revenge · vengeance · avenge · reciprocate · respond · react · retort · tit-for-tat · countermeasure · get even
parry
Defensive blade deflection
resist · ward off · fend off · rebuff · guard · protect · defend · shield · stand ground · hold off
- retributionretribution, revenge, payback, vengeance, retaliation
- turn the tablesrevenge, payback, comeback, retaliation, turn the tide
- counterattackscounterblow, counterpunch, counteroffensive, countercharge, riposte
strike backturn the other cheek
Refuse to retaliate
take it · let it go · stand down · do nothing · walk away
strike backsubmit
Present for consideration
yield · surrender · capitulate · back down · give in
strike backforgive
Cease to blame
pardon · show mercy · make peace · reconcile · forgive and forget
back, strike, striking, striker, strikes, counterattack, stricken, strikers, restrike