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Synonyms

answer back

British  

verb

  1. (adverb) to reply rudely to (a person, esp someone in authority) when one is expected to remain silent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

answer back Idioms  
  1. see talk back.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sometimes I answer back, even though I don’t think it cares too much.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Plenty would think this unfair on the civil service, which has often found itself a scapegoat for failings of politicians but cannot publicly answer back.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2024

She devises a way to beam them better, and gets an answer back, though not the answer anyone would expect.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2024

By the time he asks, “Can I get a Chaka Khan?” it’s impossible not to answer back.

From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2022

He talked about what he would do to me, and I had promptly put an answer back on the wire.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey