Synonym Chooser

How does the noun repartee differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of repartee are humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

When could humor be used to replace repartee?

The synonyms humor and repartee are sometimes interchangeable, but humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

a sense of humor

Where would irony be a reasonable alternative to repartee?

While the synonyms irony and repartee are close in meaning, irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

the irony of the title

When would sarcasm be a good substitute for repartee?

In some situations, the words sarcasm and repartee are roughly equivalent. However, sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

When might satire be a better fit than repartee?

The meanings of satire and repartee largely overlap; however, satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

a satire on the Congress

When is wit a more appropriate choice than repartee?

While in some cases nearly identical to repartee, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of repartee Awash in candlelight chiaroscuro and punctuated with witty repartee, the film initially seems like a quirky comedy about a father and daughter struggling with their rhubarb farm. Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025 Charton is disarming and funny, and the two are clearly enamored with each other, falling into natural repartee about their kids and each other. Rachel Handler, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025 This is a love affair blossoming on the planet of non sequiturs, the kind of repartee moviegoers used to get with William Powell and Carole Lombard, or Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025 The audience was often in stitches thanks to her witty repartee—and Stewart has given his seal of approval. Billie Schwab Dunn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for repartee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repartee
Noun
  • Each has stood out enough to draw sharp retorts from Trump loyalists.
    Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
  • Last week, Johnson’s office walked back one of his sharpest retorts to Trump yet, over the president’s threats to revoke funds from school districts that promote diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
    Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Following some playful online banter, the two took their connection offline and met up in person.
    Tabitha Parent, People.com, 5 May 2025
  • The show, with its journalistically murky blend of news and casual banter, serves the administration’s needs in a few ways, the report suggested.
    Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Each bus has a pair of hosts, whose badinage is corny but crowd-pleasing.
    Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
  • In The Kitchen, Wesker tracked the decorum from friendly badinage to hostile vernacular that co-workers sustain just to get through the day.
    Armond White, National Review, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Since Carter and Andersen could make each other laugh, that was enough.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Photos were taken, laughs were shared and much of the cast gave each other warm embraces all evening.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Nikki Glaser applauds Joan’s candor about aging and plastic surgery, and Aubrey Plaza retires Joan’s not-so-politically-correct jokes.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • The gimmick of the game show is interesting, though the prize money is a joke.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • With time, their caustic raillery transforms into sincere attachment.
    Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 13 May 2021
  • French’s evocation of place, a rural way of life and overall creepiness are superb, as is the dialogue, a festival of Irish raillery and repartee.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2020
Noun
  • Gunn has promised a return to sincerity, but this is still unmistakably his movie so expect dashes of bizarro humor amid the spectacle and a few lovable weirdos around the edges (including Supes’ flying dog Krypto).
    Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • There are some clever bits of humor thoughout th emovie, especially involving all the shenanigans of the French, but the Dane’s story ends on a decidedly dark note.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • None of this will keep Republicans and conservatives from attacking the reconciliation bill with smoke, mirrors and persiflage.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2022
  • As Nixon’s political strategist, Kevin Phillips, told the New York Times in 1970: All the talk about Republicans making inroads into the Negro vote is persiflage.
    Jane Coaston, Vox, 12 Oct. 2018

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Cite this Entry

“Repartee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repartee. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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