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retort

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun retort differ from other similar words?

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

When can answer be used instead of retort?

While the synonyms answer and retort are close in meaning, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

In what contexts can rejoinder take the place of retort?

Although the words rejoinder and retort have much in common, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When would reply be a good substitute for retort?

The synonyms reply and retort are sometimes interchangeable, but reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When is it sensible to use response instead of retort?

While in some cases nearly identical to retort, 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

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 retort
Noun
Even an otherwise neutral comment can be contorted into a sarcastic retort, an insult or a counterattack. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 Lanning’s retort might be a sore spot for Gundy, whose contract was restructured in December after a dismal 3-9 season in 2024, with the $1 million savings reportedly being allocated toward the players. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Boro’s fanbase will retort that there has been more than one of those lately. Michael Walker, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025 Rhodes further retorted with a crude remark about Cena's microphone skills versus his physical attributes, and cautioned him against exaggerating his positive impact on WWE upon his departure. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for retort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retort
Noun
  • The obvious riposte at this point is that the NFL has been doing it for years.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Eventually, Letterman acknowledged the riposte was not his best work.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Japanese stocks reached a record high in response to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s spending plans, although significant challenges remain for the Asian giant’s new leader.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Authorities were initially called to the home in response to a disconnected 911 call, but upon arrival, discovered the injured and unresponsive student.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The in-depth interviews included questions about how people had responded to loan requests from family and friends.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Lauren Spors’ attorney Vincent Guimont did not respond to a request for comment.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With every enemy dead, the familiar sounds of the Halo universe are gone — there’s no Grunts squeaking insults or Jackals chattering in another language.
    Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
  • And the West Colonnade got its own upgrade, complete with an insult for former President Joe Biden.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Buffalo Bills have been knocking on the door of Super Bowl Sunday for years, but have yet to receive an answer.
    Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The short answer is no, stress isn't considered a direct cause of brain aneurysms.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At best, viewers reply with admiration, applauding the Fadel's contestants for their quick thinking.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Company officials did not immediately reply to a reporter's questions about the decision.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • How did Betty manage the scenes with Ophelia, with their bawdy repartee?
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • No one is better built than Leavy, a crafty veteran sportswriter, for between-innings repartee, wry asides, and tossed-off ideas for improving her beloved sport—and maybe even keeping its ever-looming obsolescence at bay for another decade or three.
    Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Broncos’ Mile-High Miracle The Denver Broncos pulled off one of the wildest comebacks in NFL history last Sunday.
    Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
  • But Orlando came away with nine important second-chance points on five important offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter to spark its late-game comeback.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Retort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retort. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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