return fire

noun

: the firing of a weapon to counter a shooter's shot
The suspect started shooting and was wounded by the return fire of the police.

Examples of return fire in a Sentence

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Prosecutors said Guilfoyle shot Bowers in his bullet-resistant vest, but Bowers was able to return fire, striking Guilfoyle. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Investigators do not believe there was any return fire, according to Boisvert. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025 That person is believed to have started shooting, which prompted return fire from others, Cantu said. CBS News, 4 May 2025 If deals aren't reached by then, Trump will impose reciprocal tariffs on all America's trading partners, who may return fire with other countermeasures. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for return fire

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“Return fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/return%20fire. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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