Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

retort

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of retort

1 a quick witty response
  • She responded to the heckler with a scathing but hilarious retort that instantly won over the audience.
Synonyms of retort

comeback, repartee, riposte
Words Related to retort

squelch

back talk

crack, quip, sally, wisecrack, witticism, zinger

cut, insult, put-down
2 something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question
  • The salesclerk responded to my query about the price with a brusque retort.
Synonyms of retort

answer, comeback, rejoinder, reply, response, return
Words Related to retort

back talk, banter, repartee

acknowledgment (or acknowledgement), comment, communication, correspondence, feedback, non sequitur, observation, reaction, remark

defense, explanation, justification, plea, rebuttal, refutation
Near Antonyms of retort

challenge, charge, cross-examination, grilling, interrogation, interrogatory, quiz

poll, questionnaire, survey
Antonyms of retort

inquiry, query, question

Synonym Discussion of retort

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return. answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.
    • had answers to all their questions
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
reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.
    • a point-by-point reply to the accusation
rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.
    • a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument
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

retort

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of retort

to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction
  • When told she couldn't have it, she retorted, "Fine, I didn't want it anyway!"
Synonyms of retort

answer, come back, rejoin, reply, respond, return, riposte
Words Related to retort

acknowledge, comment, communicate, correspond, react, remark

counter, defend, deny, explain, field, rebut, refute
Near Antonyms of retort

challenge, cross-examine, examine, grill, interrogate, pump, quiz

poll, query, survey
Antonyms of retort

ask, inquire, question

Learn More about retort

  1. See words that rhyme with retort Dictionary: Definition of retort Medical Dictionary: Definition of retort Spanish Central: Translation of retort Nglish: Translation of retort for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of retort for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about retort

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up retort? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games