bite back
verb
bit back; bitten back also bit back; biting back; bites back
informal
1
: to attack or criticize someone after being attacked or criticized by them
—often + at
Weary of her rival's accusations, the candidate bit back with an aggressive ad campaign.
She bit back at her rival with an aggressive ad campaign.
2
: to stop oneself from saying (something)
I attempted to smile sweetly while biting back angry comments.
Examples of bite back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Advertisement The next time a public figure makes a mockery of ballet, rest assured that ballet will bite back. —
Chloe Angyal, Time, 9 Mar. 2026 Worried about further upsetting his son, Conejo said, he was forced to bite back his own tears. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026 Aries March 21 – April 19 When words poke old wounds, don’t bite back without good reason. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026 March 21 – April 19 When words poke old wounds, don’t bite back without good reason. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
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.
Chloe Angyal, Time, 9 Mar. 2026 Worried about further upsetting his son, Conejo said, he was forced to bite back his own tears. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026 Aries March 21 – April 19 When words poke old wounds, don’t bite back without good reason. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026 March 21 – April 19 When words poke old wounds, don’t bite back without good reason. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bite back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/bite%20back. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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