Phrase guide

answer back

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To reply impertinently to (someone); to talk back.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • I'll thank you not to answer back like that! Where are your manners?
  • She answered him back rudely.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To reply to a question from (someone) at a later time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Please answer me back before the end of the week.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To match an opponent’s recent scoring effort.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To issue echo characters, protocol responses, reflexive connection requests, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Cebuano: tubagtubag — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • Chinese Cantonese: 駁嘴 /驳嘴 (bok3 zeoi2) — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • Chinese Mandarin: 頂嘴 /顶嘴 (dǐngzuǐ) — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • Czech: odmlouvat — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • French: répondre — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • Italian: ribattere — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • Māori: whakatoi — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • Māori: whakatoitoi — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • Portuguese: responder — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • Turkish: karşılık vermek — to reply impertinently; to talk back
  • Turkish: (yanıt) geri dönmek — to reply impertinently; to talk back