RETORTS Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

retorts 1 of 2

noun

plural of retort

as in insults

a quick witty response she responded to the heckler with a scathing but hilarious retort that instantly won over the audience

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as in responses

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question the salesclerk responded to my query about the price with a brusque retort

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retorts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of retort

as in replies

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!"

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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 retorts

Noun

But businesses are hoping for more than just retorts. — Satviki Sanjay Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2025 The hearing also lacked contentious partisan moments, but there were some sharp retorts. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026 The Moon is at odds with three planets, which can trigger arguments, snide remarks and even cruel retorts. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026 Rank-and-file Democrats also have applauded Pritzker’s bullish retorts to Trump in recent days. — Amie Parnes, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025 LeBron James didn’t hold back from his retorts over his late-in-the-game elbow injury Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026 Smaller groups of five, 40 or a little under a hundred people gather routinely with posters, chants and, sometimes, retorts for passing motorists who support the president. — Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2025 Affleck's Will retorts as a wink to David Schwimmer's line as Ross Geller to Aniston's Rachel Green on Friends. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026 In amongst the abuse hurled at Rory McIlroy, the beer thrown at Rory McIlroy, the emphatic retorts from Rory McIlroy and also some golf from Rory McIlory (and 23 other guys), something interesting kept cropping up during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

Verb

Olga retorts that his bird’s-eye analysis is a clever way of doing nothing. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025 In theory, Thune has an open-door policy and frequently retorts that Schumer has his cellphone number or can make the short walk to his office. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retorts

Noun

Hurling insults and a general dismissiveness is in, or at least tolerated.

— Steve Buckley, New York Times, 2 July 2026
But back in February when the court ruled against him on tariffs, the president held an angry White House press conference, calling the conservative justices who sided against him disloyal among other insults.

— Tamara Keith, NPR, 1 July 2026

Definition of insults

Noun

Social media has fundamentally reshaped crisis management, demanding immediate and public responses from brands.

— Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Jenny Mace of the University of Winchester and colleague Andrew Knight ran an online survey of chicken owners in 2024, drawing more than 2,000 responses.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026

Definition of responses

Noun

McCurley later pleaded guilty to murder, giving Walker’s family answers after 46 years.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the absence of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s most painful consequences.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026

Definition of answers

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retorting

retorts

retouch

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“Retorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retorts. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of retorts

noun

verb

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