rejoinder

noun

re·​join·​der ri-ˈjȯin-dər How to pronounce rejoinder (audio)
1
: the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's replication
2
: reply
specifically : an answer to a reply
Choose the Right Synonym for rejoinder

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return.

answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

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

reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

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

Examples of rejoinder in a Sentence

The article was a stinging rejoinder to her critics. he always has a smart-aleck rejoinder to everything
Recent Examples on the Web Dismiss her brevity as cuteness and vibes, but her concision feels like an artful rejoinder to our daily data glut. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024 Advertisement The deft tribute provoked more than a few chuckles and tears and heartfelt rejoinders, some shared with the Slay family and others broadcast on social media, about the previously obscure Matt Slay. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2023 Even his commercial images are a rejoinder to the industry’s interest in using the body as a vehicle for platforming clothes. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2023 The Israeli head of state was describing his nation’s horror over the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 when the pope issued a blunt rejoinder. Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2023 In an apparent rejoinder to the wave of hostage posters, some pro-Palestinian activists in New York and other cities have displayed flyers showing pictures of people killed in the Gaza Strip amid Israel’s aggressive military campaign there. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023 That was a rejoinder to the Biden administration mantra that the two nations should compete vigorously while not looking for conflict. Byaamer Madhani, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023 The Sunday job was also considered a rejoinder at times to views expressed by the show-making/show-breaking chief theater critic Frank Rich, especially when the latter was displeased with a production. Adam Bernstein, Washington Post, 29 June 2023 If that sounds like a cynical ploy at first, an attempt to drag race into the spotlight, the movie’s persuasive rejoinder is that race is never irrelevant, especially where matters of corporate malfeasance, jury selection and the South are concerned. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rejoinder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rejoiner, from Anglo-French rejoinder, from rejoinder, verb

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rejoinder was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rejoinder

Cite this Entry

“Rejoinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rejoinder. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rejoinder

noun
re·​join·​der ri-ˈjȯin-dər How to pronounce rejoinder (audio)
: reply entry 2
especially : an answer to a reply

Legal Definition

rejoinder

noun
re·​join·​der ri-ˈjȯin-dər How to pronounce rejoinder (audio)
: an answer to a reply
specifically : the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's reply or replication under common-law pleading
Etymology

Anglo-French, from rejoindre rejoinder to make rejoinder, literally, to join again, meet, from Old French, from re- again + joindre to join

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