retort 1 of 2

noun

Definition of retortnext
1
as in riposte
a quick witty response she responded to the heckler with a scathing but hilarious retort that instantly won over the audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in response
something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question the salesclerk responded to my query about the price with a brusque retort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

retort

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈtȯrt How to pronounce retort (audio)
as in to respond
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction when told she couldn't have it, she retorted, "Fine, I didn't want it anyway!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun retort differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of retort are answer, rejoinder, reply, and response. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

When can answer be used instead of retort?

While the synonyms answer and retort are close in meaning, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

In what contexts can rejoinder take the place of retort?

Although the words rejoinder and retort have much in common, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When would reply be a good substitute for retort?

The synonyms reply and retort are sometimes interchangeable, but reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When is it sensible to use response instead of retort?

While in some cases nearly identical to retort, response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of retort
Noun
Middle East crisis — explained The report sparked a retort from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has deflected personal responsibility in the security failure. —Daniel Estrin, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025 The next day, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz began his speech to the conference with a retort to Vance. —Massimo Calabresi/dachau, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
That led Chair Mike Lee to retort that the documents arrived at 5:40pm yesterday and that the committee office was open until 6pm. —Daniel Moore, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025 The phrase is catchy but focused on what was without a clear path to what can be unburdened by what has been, as Kamala Harris famously retorts. —Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 22 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for retort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retort
  1. riposte
  2. response
  3. respond
  4. insult
  5. answer
  6. reply
  7. repartee
  8. comeback
Noun
  • Less than two minutes later, Isak delivered his usual riposte.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
  • During that riposte, Al-Khelaifi revealed his theory of why the Argentine found things difficult in the French capital.
    — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of riposte
Noun
  • President Donald Trump offered U.S. support to Southeast Asia in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, but his administration's previous cuts to foreign aid could impede the response.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Star sports commentator Pat McAfee loudly lambasted the Canadian fans for booing and the country as a whole in response during the Peacock broadcast.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of response
Verb
  • Sutter County deputies responded to reports of a hunting incident on Sunday, April 6, at approximately 9:00 a.m., near Gifford Road in the Fremont Weir Wildlife Area.
    — Angel Saunders, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Bitcoin prices extended their recent losses in the last few days, falling to their lowest point of the year as global investors responded to the latest concerns created by ongoing developments surrounding global tariffs.
    — Charles Lloyd Bovaird II, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of respond
Noun
  • In a workplace that’s increasingly remote, fast-paced, independent and ever-changing, these aren’t insults.
    — Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Recent White House comments and insults directed at NATO allies – as well as the military alliance itself – have raised alarm and confusion.
    — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of insult
Noun
  • Texas, though, pressured TCU all game and the Horned Frogs had no answer.
    — Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The sighting left the researchers with more questions than answers… but that’s the beauty of studying the ocean.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of answer
Verb
  • The couple did not immediately reply to a message from CNBC requesting comment.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Lake did not reply to NPR's request for comment for this story.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of reply
Noun
  • For all his entertaining repartee, Hedges is keenly aware of when to lock in.
    — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Ally and Jay are both sarcastic, too — their best lines are muttered under their breaths — and their repartee becomes more interesting than the bloody theatrics.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
Definition of repartee
Noun
  • Here are 7 old-school beauty trends making a big comeback this year.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The 6-7, 220-pound forward from New Orleans shot 35.8% from the field and 69.5% from the free throw line this past season, scoring a season-high 17 points in a comeback win over Georgia on Feb. 11.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of comeback

Browse Nearby Words

retools
retort
retorted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retort. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on retort

Nglish: Translation of retort for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about retort

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All