Synonyms of rejoinder

rejoinder

noun

ri-ˈjȯin-dər 

as in response

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question

he always has a smart-aleck rejoinder to everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• response
• reply
• answer
• reaction
• retort
• return
• remark
• replication
• rebuttal
• observation
• comment
• comeback
• explanation
• feedback
• justification
• communication
• banter
• persiflage
• acknowledgment
• refutation
• defense
• repartee
• back talk
• plea
• correspondence
• non sequitur

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• question
• inquiry
• query
• challenge
• interrogation
• charge
• survey
• interrogatory
• quiz
• questionnaire
• cross-examination
• poll
• grilling

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun rejoinder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rejoinder are answer, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Where would answer be a reasonable alternative to rejoinder?

While in some cases nearly identical to rejoinder, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When is reply a more appropriate choice than rejoinder?

The meanings of reply and rejoinder largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When could response be used to replace rejoinder?

The words response and rejoinder can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When can retort be used instead of rejoinder?

The synonyms retort and rejoinder are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rejoinder

Yet along with the congratulations to Schofield and her husband, Michael, came a rather puzzling rejoinder. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

The tone ranges from hopeful to exasperated—a common rejoinder is that death precedes new, healthy growth—but the over-all effect is a refreshingly cold shower. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025

However, what smooths out these bumps in the road is Brooks’ ability to consistently write earnest speeches, or button scenes with a snarky rejoinders. —Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2025

Thus, the slow, deliberate pacing of Undersight served as a direct rejoinder to the vertiginous scale and scope of the current political onslaught. —Gayatri Gopinath, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025