rejoinder

noun

re·​join·​der ri-ˈjȯin-dər 

1

: the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's replication

2

: reply

specifically : an answer to a reply

Synonyms

• response
• reply
• answer

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

Mazrui noted, in a rejoinder to the rejoinders, that many of the most fervent letters did not seem to come from Ghana. —Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

Chappelle’s quip onstage at the festival was likely a rejoinder to such complaints. —Tom Tapp, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025

Boggs’s biography, which foregrounds Baldwin’s deepest love relationships, is a moving and eloquent rejoinder to the decline narrative. —Megan Marshall september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025

Implicit in this mode of storytelling is a rejoinder to mentalities like Evelyn’s. —Judy Berman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for rejoinder

• misjoinder
• joinder

Kids Definition

rejoinder

noun

re·​join·​der ri-ˈjȯin-dər 

: reply entry 2

especially : an answer to a reply

Legal Definition

rejoinder

noun

re·​join·​der ri-ˈjȯin-dər 

: 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