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Definitions

talk back

[tawk-bak] / ˈtɔkˌbæk /
VERB
answer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acknowledge argue claim defend deny explain plead resolve respond return say solve
STRONG
comeback contest counterclaim disprove dispute echo feedback parry rebut refute rejoin remark retaliate retort sass settle squelch top
WEAK
answer back back at you back-talk be in touch field the question get back at get back to give a snappy comeback shoot back
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agree ask deny ignore leave question renounce request wonder
STRONG
allow prove
VERB
argue
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contend disagree dispute quarrel quibble squabble
STRONG
altercate bandy battle bicker buck cross feud hammer hash hassle jump pettifog rehash row sass wrangle
WEAK
break with bump heads cross swords face down face off gang up on get in one's face go one-on-one hammer away hash over have at each other have at it jump on knock around lock horns mix it up pick an argument put up a fight put up a struggle set to sock it to stick it to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agree concur give in
STRONG
make peace
WEAK
abstain comply harmonize ignore keep quiet keep silent overlook
VERB
back talk
Synonyms
STRONGEST
answer back
STRONG
argue mouth off sass
WEAK
complain protest
VERB
debate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
answer bicker consider contest deliberate oppose question wrangle
STRONG
agitate altercate bandy canvass cogitate confab confute contend controvert demonstrate differ disprove dispute hassle moot pettifog prove reason rebut refute rehash
WEAK
bump heads chew the fat cross swords discept hammer away at hash over have at it kick around knock around lock horns pick a bone put up argument set to talk game thrash out toss around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agree
STRONG
endorse give in go along harmonize make peace prove
VERB
pettifog
Synonyms
STRONG
altercate argufy avoid bicker carp cavil chicane criticize dispute equivocate evade fence flip-flop hassle niggle nitpick pretend prevaricate shift spar squabble waffle wrangle
WEAK
argue over blow hot and cold catch at straws have at it hem and haw hypercriticize make a big thing about nit-pick paralogize pick to pieces put up an argument set to split hairs
Antonyms
STRONG
agree concur face give in meet tell the truth
VERB
quibble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bicker carp spar squabble waffle wrangle
STRONG
altercate argufy avoid cavil chicane criticize dispute equivocate evade fence flip-flop hassle pettifog pretend prevaricate shift
WEAK
argue over blow hot and cold catch at straws have at it hem and haw hypercriticize make a big thing about nit-pick paralogize put up an argument set to split hairs
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agree
STRONG
face meet tell the truth
WEAK
approve concur
VERB
react
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acknowledge act answer behave counter feel perform proceed reply revert
STRONG
backfire boomerang echo function operate rebound reciprocate recoil recur return take work
WEAK
answer back be affected bounce back get back at give a snappy comeback give back have a funny feeling have vibes turn back
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease halt question stop
STRONG
idle keep refuse
VERB
respond
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acknowledge answer behave come back counter react reply return
STRONG
reciprocate rejoin retort
WEAK
act in response answer back be in touch with come back at come in feedback feel for field the question get back to get in touch
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ask depart leave question request
VERB
retort
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rebut
STRONG
counter crack rejoin repay reply requite respond retaliate return riposte sass squelch top
WEAK
answer back come back at shoot back snap back
Antonyms
STRONG
ask question request take

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.

"He was just so domineering and you just couldn't talk back to him," she added.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

The excited audience, eager to talk back to the characters, disrupted the performers’ timing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2024

All the talk back then was whether the Preds would unload star goalie Juuse Saros at the trade deadline.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 16, 2024

He likes to insult people from behind a computer or in a speech, where they can't talk back.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2024

I know better than to talk back and start an argument.

From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson