Wiktionary
answered back
vb. (en-pastanswer back)
Usage examples of "answered back".
As its weird, half-availing notes ring out and are answered back from the distant rocks shrouded in night, and perhaps concealing the lurking foe, the soldier remembers that he is far away from home and friends--deep in the enemy's country, encompassed on every hand by those in deadly hostility to him, who are perhaps even then maturing the preparations for his destruction.
For this Little John cared not a whit, but when such folks gave jesting words to him he answered back as merrily, speech for speech.