answer back

verb

answered back; answering back; answers back
somewhat informal
: to reply to someone especially in a rude way
impolite children who answer back when their teacher corrects them

Examples of answer back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In this series, the Brewers always answer back when the Dodgers score. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Then, after the Marlins tied the score at 1-1, the former Bryant University star answered back with another solo shot to put Boston back up in the top of the sixth. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 People found the survey on her brother’s website, and later through the HER Foundation, and sent their answers back to Fejzo. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026 But the secretary made a claim about what the evidence showed, and 12 months is long enough for evidence to answer back. — Jeff Coller, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for answer back

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Answer back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answer%20back. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster