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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

"No one gave us an answer back about what we had reported and conveyed."

From BBC • Jan. 14, 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

“But in an elimination game, to not only score the first goal, but to answer back 21 seconds after they scored, you’re so proud,” Cooper added.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 13, 2022

Her last word was a lash, but Theon dared not answer back in kind.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.