riposte 1 of 2

Definition of ripostenext
as in retort
a quick witty response he's known for having a brilliant riposte to nearly any insult

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riposte

2 of 2

verb

as in to respond
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction at cocktail parties she could riposte with lightning speed to even the most unexpected quip

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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 riposte
Noun
Big Kiss, Bye-Bye offers something else, too: a subtle riposte against gender pessimism. Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025 Eventually, Letterman acknowledged the riposte was not his best work. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some enemy attacks can only be dodged, while parrying others gives you the opportunity to riposte. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for riposte
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riposte
Noun
  • 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
  • That retort was also the title of her 2020 comedy special.
    Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
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
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
Verb
  • Like Cincinnati police, Schuler said sheriff's office supervisors usually take on complaints regarding less severe policy violations, such as a deputy speeding on a highway or answering the phone rudely.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Kansas City has a lot of questions to answer in the offseason following a losing season and an ACL injury for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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