retort

1 of 4

verb (1)

re·​tort ri-ˈtȯrt 

retorted; retorting; retorts

transitive verb

1

: to pay or hurl back : return

retort an insult

2

a

: to make a reply to

b

: to say in reply

3

: to answer (an argument) by a counter argument

intransitive verb

1

: to answer back usually sharply

2

: to return an argument or charge

3

: retaliate

retort

2 of 4

noun (1)

: a quick, witty, or cutting reply

especially : one that turns back or counters the first speaker's words

retort

3 of 4

noun (2)

re·​tort ri-ˈtȯrt 

ˈrē-ˌtȯrt

: a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat

Illustration of retort

• ³retort

retort

4 of 4

verb (2)

re·​tort ri-ˈtȯrt 

ˈrē-ˌtȯrt

retorted; retorting; retorts

transitive verb

: to treat (something, such as oil shale) by heating in a retort

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• respond
• reply
• answer

Noun (1)

• riposte
• insult
• repartee
• comeback

Choose the Right Synonym for retort

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 retort in a Sentence

Verb (1)

when told she couldn't have it, she retorted, "Fine, I didn't want it anyway!"

Noun (1)

she responded to the heckler with a scathing but hilarious retort that instantly won over the audience

the salesclerk responded to my query about the price with a brusque retort

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Nothing dramatizes the human comedy with more precision than the sound of a happily narrow mind retorting to the wider environment. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

Prosecutors retorted by pointing out Hughes was also hired before by members of the defense. —Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025

Noun

Whoa, bellows the retort, to the victor go the spoils. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

In between the more severe and serious moments of his testimony, Nash kept things light and occasionally answered questions with a snappy retort. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally, to twist back, hurl back, from re- + torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle French retorte, from Medieval Latin retorta, from Latin, feminine of retortus; from its shape

First Known Use

Verb (1)

circa 1505, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1610, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1527, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1850, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retort

• retort pouch

Rhymes for retort

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• distort
• escort
• exhort
• extort

Kids Definition

retort

1 of 3 verb

re·​tort ri-ˈtȯ(ə)rt 

1

: to answer back : reply angrily or sharply

2

: to reply to an argument with an opposing argument

retort

2 of 3 noun

: a quick, witty, or angry reply

retort

3 of 3 noun

re·​tort ri-ˈtȯ(ə)rt 

ˈrē-ˌtȯ(ə)rt

: a container in which substances are distilled or broken down by heat

Etymology

Verb

from Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally "to twist back, hurl back," from re- "back, again" and torquēre "to twist" — related to distort, extort, torture

Noun

from early French retorte "a vessel in which substances are distilled," derived from Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre "to twist"; probably so called from its shape

Medical Definition

retort

noun

re·​tort ri-ˈtȯ(ə)rt  ˈrē-ˌ 

: a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat