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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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retort
Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
As responses go, this was as resounding as Muhammad Ali’s rope-a-dope retort during The Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
Dan Freedman, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
And, Yancy’s whole walkthrough of Stoney’s is absolutely disgusting, but his breathless retorts to all of the proprietor’s protests are comedy gold.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for retort
Noun
The governor, through his personal account, has offered retorts to a host of claims about his governance from popular and little-known Republicans.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
As responses go, this was as resounding as Muhammad Ali’s rope-a-dope retort during The Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
Dodger defenders retorted that (a) the team has done nothing untoward, (b) this is just smart business, and (c) this type of deal structure is available to all of the other 29 teams.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
And, Yancy’s whole walkthrough of Stoney’s is absolutely disgusting, but his breathless retorts to all of the proprietor’s protests are comedy gold.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for retort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retort
Noun
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This seemed to be a function of its light weight and thinness, a riposte to the ubiquitous Michelin Man-esque puffer.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
6 Mar. 2025
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The book might be considered a riposte to both right-wing and left-wing historiography in India; right-wing historians make fantastic claims that cloak India’s real and substantial achievements, while those on the left prioritize social history in a way that displaces intellectual achievement.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Immigration advocates are calling for stronger protections under the Trust Act in response to President Donald Trump’s plans for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and the creation of a registry requiring those immigrants to self-register or could face prosecution.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
6 Mar. 2025
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Canadian fans booing the American national anthem seemed to be a response to President Donald Trump’s talk of tariffs and turning Canada into the 51st state.—
Paulina Dedaj,
Fox News,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Newsmax did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday night.—
Zoë Richards,
NBC News,
14 Mar. 2025
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The PhD Project did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.—
Ivana Saric,
Axios,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The previous time Lilian had seen Imelda, who was sitting next to her in London, was ten years earlier, when her children were alive, but with some people mindless small talk would be an insult.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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That’s because Trump’s approach isn’t just an insult to Zelensky but to Ukraine itself and its institution of national leadership.—
Illia Ponomarenko,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The answers are meant to be filled out by a single person in one sitting, with no way to save responses for a break.—
Sheryl Gay Stolberg,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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If the answer to all three of these questions is yes, then speed is critical.—
Starr Million Baker,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Salib did not reply to a message left with his Forest Hills, Queens, office.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2025
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According to the employee, Stefanski replied that the investigators had questioned him about the Jeep.—
Dave Altimari,
ProPublica,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For all his entertaining repartee, Hedges is keenly aware of when to lock in.—
Ken Rosenthal,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
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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
Noun
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Woods’ attempts at a full-fledged comeback have been thwarted by a cycle of injuries and surgeries in recent years.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
12 Mar. 2025
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The restaurant teased the possibility of a nationwide comeback based on customers’ responses.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retort. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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