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

Tender Buttons is a celebration of mutability, a rejoinder to rules, where words are set free from the shackles of meaning and grammatical function, made unfamiliar, and charged with power to make the world afresh. —Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025

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

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