struck back
Hit in return
Struck back is the past tense of strike back, meaning to retaliate or counterattack after being hit, criticized, or threatened.
The phrase implies a defensive response that mirrors the original aggression: After months of attacks in the press, the senator struck back with accusations of his own.
It can describe physical combat, verbal exchanges, or any situation where someone answers an attack in kind.
- retaliatedResponded with equal force
- fought fire with fireResponded with identical methods
- turned the tablesGained the upper hand
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
rebuttal · lashed out · reprisal · retort · sabotage · resistance · defense · revenge · denunciation · parry · satire · protest · condemnation · kick · insult · punch · shove · boycott
struck backtook it
Endured without protest
let it go · stood down · held back · bit one's tongue · accepted
struck backsurrendered
Ceased resistance formally
capitulated · yielded · gave in · submitted · backed down
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