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

• answer
• comeback
• replication
• reply
• response
• retort
• return

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

At the Fox upfronts on Monday, May 12, the former New England Patriots tight end had an unexpected rejoinder after a fellow presenter on stage joked about Rupert Murdoch’s first upfront. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 13 May 2025

In his rejoinder to the Bloomberg article, Knuteson makes the following remarks, where references to [8], [2022], and [2023] refer to his posts and other comments. —Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025

In a rare move, the House Democratic leadership, which essentially held the line against the bill in their chamber, issued a scathing rejoinder, warning against caving to Trump, billionaire Elon Musk and the Republican agenda marching forward in Congress. —Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025

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

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