Synonym Chooser

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 With a few snooty glances and snide rejoinders, Todd and Margo Chester — the Griswalds’ ultra-hip Chicago neighbors — epitomize the sort of detachment that’s too chilly for the holidays, too cold for friendship. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024 The ban can be seen as a rejoinder to the U.S. cracking down on China's chip-making industry, as well as an escalation in trade war saber-rattling between the two countries. Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024 Johnson’s performance, meanwhile, was a sharp rejoinder to the media attention he’s received this week. Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024 At first glance, recent history would seem to furnish an obvious rejoinder to such caution: the United States waged, and won, a nearly half-century-long global struggle against the Soviet Union. Ali Wyne, Foreign Affairs, 23 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for rejoinder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rejoinder
Noun
  • This appears to be in response to longstanding criticism from patient and healthcare provider groups that the process of getting pre-approval from health plans for reimbursement of healthcare services and technologies is too onerous.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The age rule was adopted in 1995 in response to Jennifer Capriati, a teenage tennis phenomenon who struggled with the pressure of competition at such a young age.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Treasury Secretary gave a blunt reply when asked to respond to Elon Musk's criticism of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • To the police detectives who visit his school, teen behavior is a cipher to be decoded, almost literally: their breakthrough arrives when the lead detective’s young son takes pity on his dad and tells him what all the emojis in Jamie’s Instagram replies mean.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The famed Pacific Crest Trail (the West Coast's grueling, 2,653-mile-long answer to the Appalachian Trail) also passes nearby on its way up to the Canadian border.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
  • Cultural practice has the answer for everything and surfing is a metaphor for life.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rejoinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rejoinder. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rejoinder

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