Synonym Chooser

How does the noun repartee differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of repartee are humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

When could humor be used to replace repartee?

The synonyms humor and repartee are sometimes interchangeable, but humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

a sense of humor

Where would irony be a reasonable alternative to repartee?

While the synonyms irony and repartee are close in meaning, irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

the irony of the title

When would sarcasm be a good substitute for repartee?

In some situations, the words sarcasm and repartee are roughly equivalent. However, sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

When might satire be a better fit than repartee?

The meanings of satire and repartee largely overlap; however, satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

a satire on the Congress

When is wit a more appropriate choice than repartee?

While in some cases nearly identical to repartee, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

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 repartee 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 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 Awash in candlelight chiaroscuro and punctuated with witty repartee, the film initially seems like a quirky comedy about a father and daughter struggling with their rhubarb farm. Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for repartee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repartee
Noun
  • Late Saturday night, a question about the LSU offense led to a fiery retort from head coach Brian Kelly and one of the 2025 season’s early viral moments.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Even an otherwise neutral comment can be contorted into a sarcastic retort, an insult or a counterattack.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Riffing, or lighthearted banter, is a special way of co-creating meaning in your relationship.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Daniel is virtually beaming at his kid as the two of them casually banter.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The action flows, the badinage is fast and fun.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Each bus has a pair of hosts, whose badinage is corny but crowd-pleasing.
    Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • What captured millions of TikTok users' hearts was the pure joy that can be heard in her son’s laughs as her husband shields him from the rain.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The ratio of laughs to drama changes quite sharply, however, as Joan takes her hostages off on their journey, leading to a bond with Tyler and a lot of unexpected revelations about Joan’s background.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But one Democratic member of the FCC tells her that Carr can't pull a license just because the administration doesn't like a joke or criticism.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
  • After general manager Bill Guerin spoke to reporters, declining to go into detail about the ongoing contract negotiations, superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov spoke to reporters, as well, smiling big, cracking jokes, and declaring his love for Minnesota.
    Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With time, their caustic raillery transforms into sincere attachment.
    Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 13 May 2021
  • French’s evocation of place, a rural way of life and overall creepiness are superb, as is the dialogue, a festival of Irish raillery and repartee.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2020
Noun
  • Though brief, the video struck a chord with viewers who found humor in the dramatic before-and-after.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Iger saw no humor consistent with Disney’s brand in that episode.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • None of this will keep Republicans and conservatives from attacking the reconciliation bill with smoke, mirrors and persiflage.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2022
  • As Nixon’s political strategist, Kevin Phillips, told the New York Times in 1970: All the talk about Republicans making inroads into the Negro vote is persiflage.
    Jane Coaston, Vox, 12 Oct. 2018

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Cite this Entry

“Repartee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repartee. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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