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
These teams are squaring up and covering every inch of hardwood, a seesawing retort to the critics lazily decrying modern defense. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 May 2025 After seeing hilarious retort that Google suggested, Galek couldn't resist sharing it on TikTok (@itsjuliagalek). —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
Rhodes further retorted with a crude remark about Cena's microphone skills versus his physical attributes, and cautioned him against exaggerating his positive impact on WWE upon his departure. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 In contrast, an optimist would likely retort that this super-AGI collective could pursue the aim of aiding humankind and being our best friend forever. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 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
  • Beating the best that Europe had to offer in the Champions League was a neat riposte.
    — Phil Hay June 2, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • All such theories, however, have appeared to be unreliable and speculative since any first strikes would have to contend with the risk of an enemy launch on warning as well as sufficient systems surviving for a devastating riposte.
    — Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of riposte
Noun
  • And many people who study emergency response agree that, to some degree, the agency needs reform.
    — Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
  • Texas officials have also pledged to analyze the emergency response and make changes as needed.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of response
Verb
  • Officers responded to area of West Gate and Middle Street around 7 p.m. on Saturday for a crash involving a motorcycle and a motor vehicle, according to the Bristol Police Department.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
  • World Liberty Financial declined to comment, and the Trump Organization did not respond to an inquiry.
    — Zach Everson, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of respond
Noun
  • Adding insult, he was called for eight fouls in Tuesday night’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, with players allowed 10 in summer league, four above the regular-season maximum.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2025
  • Amid the mix of compliments and insults from obvious trolls, many thought ATB bore a striking resemblance to another member of the family.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
Definition of insult
Noun
  • Critics have argued such moves have increased the amount of hate speech on the platform, which Grok pulls from for its answers.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
  • The family of a South Carolina man who died three days after being arrested last month demanded the release of police body camera video and answers regarding his death on Tuesday.
    — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 15 July 2025
Definition of answer
Verb
  • The tech billionaire replied in the negative to a question regarding a potential deal.
    — Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 15 July 2025
  • Many also asked questions, to which Garrett replied with further explanation.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of reply
Noun
  • His brother Richard Rosenthal is Somebody Feed Phil’s executive producer and showrunner; their on-camera repartee is a golden fan-favorite.
    — Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Most voters are worried about high prices for food, energy and housing, rather than their leader’s Oval Office repartee.
    — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of repartee
Noun
  • His second win capped an amazing comeback from a hunting accident that left him critically wounded.
    — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 10 July 2025
  • Billboard also reports that streams of their back catalog has leapt 93% since their comeback show on July 4.
    — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 10 July 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 21 Jul. 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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
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 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 plate of arepas
Name That Dish! Some mouth-watering food for thought
See All