REJOINDER Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'rejoinder' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rejoinder are answer , reply , response , and retort . While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection. // a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Q: Where would 'answer' be a reasonable alternative to 'rejoinder'?

While in some cases nearly identical to rejoinder , answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need. // had answers to all their questions

Q: When is 'reply' a more appropriate choice than 'rejoinder'?

The meanings of reply and rejoinder largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised. // a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Q: When could 'response' be used to replace 'rejoinder'?

The words response and rejoinder can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Q: When can 'retort' be used instead of 'rejoinder'?

The synonyms retort and rejoinder are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

rejoinder

noun

ri-ˈjȯin-dər

Definition of rejoinder next

as in response

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question he always has a smart-aleck rejoinder to everything

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How does the noun rejoinder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rejoinder are answer, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Where would answer be a reasonable alternative to rejoinder?

While in some cases nearly identical to rejoinder, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When is reply a more appropriate choice than rejoinder?

The meanings of reply and rejoinder largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When could response be used to replace rejoinder?

The words response and rejoinder can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When can retort be used instead of rejoinder?

The synonyms retort and rejoinder are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 rejoinder From the Alcaraz perspective, this was yet another warning to the chasing pack that even an elite player playing to their absolute best level is still not enough, as well as a rejoinder to his at-times lackadaisical end-of-season performances in recent years. —

Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025 Tender Buttons is a celebration of mutability, a rejoinder to rules, where words are set free from the shackles of meaning and grammatical function, made unfamiliar, and charged with power to make the world afresh. —

Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025 Chappelle’s quip onstage at the festival was likely a rejoinder to such complaints. —

Tom Tapp, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025 Implicit in this mode of storytelling is a rejoinder to mentalities like Evelyn’s. —

Judy Berman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rejoinder

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rejoinder

Noun

DeLano said Tennessee did something similar in response to Hurricane Helene in 2024.

— ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Still, the department is sweeping in its scope, responsible not only for immigration enforcement, but also disaster response and airport security.

— Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026

Definition of response

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rejoinder

rejoinders

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“Rejoinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rejoinder. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 15 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of rejoinder

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