-
Trending Now:
More Trending:
- beleaguer scaramouch non sequitur admiral's mast calumny
- ALL
retortion
Definition of retortion
-s
1 : an act of retorting : a turning, twisting, bending, or throwing back : reflection
2 obsolete : retort
3 or retorsion \"\ : retaliation —used chiefly of acts by which an aggrieved state treats the subjects of another state giving provocation in a manner similar to that in which the subjects of the state using retortion are treated by the state giving provocation
Explore M-W
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Origin and Etymology of retortion
Medieval Latin retortion-, retortio, from Latin retortus (past participle) + -ion-, -io -ion
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up retortion? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!