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

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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
The retort landed him on local television. —Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026 Thompson, meanwhile, savors every contemptuous glare and hateful retort Anna regularly supplies. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Noem retorted after Thompson raised the issue. —Arkansas Online, 12 Dec. 2025 Olga retorts that his bird’s-eye analysis is a clever way of doing nothing. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 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
  • Larkin tried to come up with a witty riposte but came up empty.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025
  • Choice comments from Mary Earps about head coach Sarina Wiegman and goalkeeping rival Hannah Hampton provoked a cutting riposte from Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Definition of riposte
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
Verb
  • The White House responded with a counterproposal Wednesday night, which Democrats dismissed as unserious.
    — Riley Beggin, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of respond
Noun
  • The final insult from State Farm came just hours after Karen Powers died, early on the morning of August 2, 2023.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • In an appearance on Fox News, the Trump-supporting singer bashed the choice of Bunny, saying the performance was an insult to the MAGA movement.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • Asked what’s next on the agenda, the rapper-designer-actor deferred his answer to a higher power.
    — Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • An Arizona family is calling for change and demanding answers after a 27-year-old man died hours after he was wrongfully discharged from a hospital and dumped on a sidewalk during a hot summer day, according to a wrongful death lawsuit.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of answer
Verb
  • Allred replied with fire, throwing his support to Crockett and suggesting Talarico’s rhetoric was born of personal insecurity during an intense online video.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Goldberg replied, before encouraging them to applaud for her cohost.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of reply
Noun
  • Instead of witty repartee or slick delivery, expect genuineness, a generosity of spirit, and a feeling of being nurtured and taken care of.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Instead, the most memorable moments are the witty, fast-blazing literary repartee in the first act and the excellent, multidimensional performances by the show’s three actors: Geoffrey Ulysses Geissinger, Ibraheem Farmer and Jamaelya Hines.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Definition of repartee
Noun
  • Daniel also wanted a comeback, but was faced with the challenge of being patient with her postpartum body, a process that was helped along by the support of her husband.
    — Kayla Blanton, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
  • At the same time, software names that have been crushed over the past few weeks are making a comeback.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of comeback

Browse Nearby Words

retools
retort
retorted
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Cite this Entry

“Retort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retort. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on retort

Nglish: Translation of retort for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about retort

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