1
as in retorts
a quick witty response
always ready with a comeback for every insult
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in responses
something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question
regardless of the question posed by the prosecutor, the witness had a plausible comeback
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of comebacks
Several athletes made epic comebacks at this year’s Olympic Winter Games, from gold medalist Alysa Liu’s triumphant return to figure skating to alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s slalom victory, which came after she was disqualified from the event at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
—
Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
In the season opener last weekend, his team made two one-goal comebacks to earn a 2-2 road draw with Austin FC in Texas.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
Have other major champions made similar comebacks?
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Thursday was a remarkable day of comebacks.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Canada has made a habit of making late-game comebacks in these Olympics.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Rebellion, backlash, and other 40‑something comebacks Vonn did not enter Cortina quietly.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Miracle comebacks, like those against the Eagles and Giants, have expiration dates.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
Three postseason exits, all one successful offensive drive away from Stafford leading one of his trademark fourth-quarter comebacks to advance.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
In the season opener last weekend, his team made two one-goal comebacks to earn a 2-2 road draw with Austin FC in Texas.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
Have other major champions made similar comebacks?
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Thursday was a remarkable day of comebacks.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Canada has made a habit of making late-game comebacks in these Olympics.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Rebellion, backlash, and other 40‑something comebacks Vonn did not enter Cortina quietly.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Miracle comebacks, like those against the Eagles and Giants, have expiration dates.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
Three postseason exits, all one successful offensive drive away from Stafford leading one of his trademark fourth-quarter comebacks to advance.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comebacks
Noun
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The hearing also lacked contentious partisan moments, but there were some sharp retorts.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
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Affleck's Will retorts as a wink to David Schwimmer's line as Ross Geller to Aniston's Rachel Green on Friends.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The redistricting efforts, though appearing significant in scope, reflect legitimate partisan responses to shifting political terrain, where defensive countermeasures by one party are necessary to balance aggressive moves by the other party seeking electoral advantages.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
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Democrats are still testing their responses to Trump, both stylistically and in terms of substance, and watching and evaluating one another.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For even more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on Threads and this post on Bluesky.—
David Pierce,
The Verge,
28 Feb. 2026
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And of course, there are the many Scream fans who have voiced support for the movement in social-media replies and beyond and have announced their own plans to skip Scream 7.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Plus, devices worn on the body instead of being tucked away in a pocket may be able to understand context from one’s surroundings through cameras, microphones and other sensors, providing more information to tailor answers.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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And then listen to his answers.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had privately urged members to stage a silent defiance, which meant a minimal applause, restrained reactions, and symbolic gestures rather than theatrical protests.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
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But the proposal to change city rules around what some see as a scarce resource — parking spots — is drawing mixed reactions from neighbors.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comebacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comebacks. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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