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 Ally and Jay are both sarcastic, too — their best lines are muttered under their breaths — and their repartee becomes more interesting than the bloody theatrics. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025 Arriving 28 years after Twister swirled rom-com repartee with disaster-flick chaos to create one of the 1990s’ most rewatchable hits, Twisters’ development began in earnest in 2020. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 26 July 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for repartee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repartee
Noun
  • But businesses are hoping for more than just retorts.
    Satviki Sanjay Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2025
  • And as trade speculation has risen, Harris reported a sarcastic one-word retort from the pitcher.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • Video episodes often include behind-the-scenes moments, visual gags, and extra banter not as noticeable in audio-only format.
    Hannah Parry Anna Commander Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Hinton grinned at the banter, but his tone shifted once talk turned to the central question of his later career: when will AI surpass the human mind?
    Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 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
  • Like, just write 100 tunes and record them all (laughs).
    Ed Masley, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Andrés joked in reply, prompting a laugh from Meghan.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Following Colbert’s ongoing jokes at the president’s expense, Trump has celebrated the talk show’s demise.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Take the verdant Monsieur Chic from designer Brett Johnson’s debut trio of parfums, named after a running joke his late wife, Sarah, would deploy when he got dressed up for date nights.
    Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 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
  • Both directors rely on a kind of caustic humor to uncover the class struggle that has always complicated the colonial one.
    Lovia Gyarkye, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2025
  • With six new episodes, the sophomore season deepens the show’s mix of biting humor, surreal storytelling, and cultural commentary.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 19 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2025.

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