1
as in insults
a quick witty response
she responded to the heckler with a scathing but hilarious retort that instantly won over the audience
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in responses
something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question
the salesclerk responded to my query about the price with a brusque retort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in replies
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retorts
Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Smaller groups of five, 40 or a little under a hundred people gather routinely with posters, chants and, sometimes, retorts for passing motorists who support the president.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Rank-and-file Democrats also have applauded Pritzker’s bullish retorts to Trump in recent days.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
But businesses are hoping for more than just retorts.
—Satviki Sanjay Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2025
His inquiries are met with gruff retorts by the barman, who is only interested in Henry buying a pint.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
In amongst the abuse hurled at Rory McIlroy, the beer thrown at Rory McIlroy, the emphatic retorts from Rory McIlroy and also some golf from Rory McIlory (and 23 other guys), something interesting kept cropping up during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Smaller groups of five, 40 or a little under a hundred people gather routinely with posters, chants and, sometimes, retorts for passing motorists who support the president.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Rank-and-file Democrats also have applauded Pritzker’s bullish retorts to Trump in recent days.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
But businesses are hoping for more than just retorts.
—Satviki Sanjay Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2025
His inquiries are met with gruff retorts by the barman, who is only interested in Henry buying a pint.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retorts
Noun
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On Saturday, McIlroy repeatedly had to step away from his golf ball as spectators shouted obscenities and personal insults at the Irishman.—
Jenna West,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Antoni, a former Heritage Foundation economist, had come under fire for his history of social media posts that used economic stats for partisan purposes, sexist remarks, and insults targeting gay TV anchors.—
Ruth Umoh,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cen said one of the ways that AI developers might induce models to provide fairer political information is by encouraging more back-and-forth over issues and avoiding personalized responses.—
Patrick Kulp,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The news marked a major moment for Latin music in the United States but was quickly met with negative responses from right-leaning commentators and Trump supporters.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Zanni’s friend Samantha Storano replies on her behalf.—
Domenico Starnone,
The Atlantic,
28 Sep. 2025
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DiCaprio replies, sounding equally preadolescent, and both break into giggling fits.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The exchanges have included headline-making ripostes from Christian Pulisic and his entourage.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Phillies don’t have many answers against Ohtani The Phillies initially got to Ohtani, who threw 24 pitches in the second because of the Phillies’ patience at the plate.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The search for answers grew more desperate after Payne, wracked with grief and hounded by reporters, died by suicide near the very spot where Mary’s body had been found.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There, the Princess of Wales will view a Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft, which responds to potential threats, and then head to the Typhoon Future Synthetic Training facility.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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In contrast to the original selection, Open Group responds to violence with nonviolence, exclusivity with openness.—
Joanna Warsza,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Given how many comebacks the Pacers had in the playoffs, there is some evidence that all that pressure (plus a relentless offensive pace) exhausts teams over 48 minutes.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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So for a party looking to make comebacks in Congress in 2026 and the White House and 2028, there’s not much ground left to make a stand aside from government funding.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retorts. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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