fireback

1 of 2

noun

fire·​back ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbak How to pronounce fireback (audio)
: an often decorated cast-iron plate lining the back wall of a fireplace

fire back

2 of 2

verb

fired back; firing back; fires back

intransitive verb

: to answer someone quickly and usually angrily
After his statement, his opponents fired back.
—often used with at
She fired back at her critics.

transitive verb

: to utter as a quick and angry response
He fired back a comparable insult …—Drew T. Brown III

Examples of fireback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
The head was followed by bright yellowish-orange tail feathers, easily identifiable as the fireback. — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Brown, for his part, fired back at the critics on social media. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026 The officer fell to the ground but fired back before he was rushed to a hospital and treated for his wounds. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fireback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1566, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1880, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of fireback was in 1566

Rhymes for fireback

See All Rhymes for fireback

Browse Nearby Words

fire away
fireback
fire back
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fireback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fireback. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fireback

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fireback

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