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
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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
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
The hearing also lacked contentious partisan moments, but there were some sharp retorts.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Affleck's Will retorts as a wink to David Schwimmer's line as Ross Geller to Aniston's Rachel Green on Friends.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
The Moon is at odds with three planets, which can trigger arguments, snide remarks and even cruel retorts.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
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
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
In theory, Thune has an open-door policy and frequently retorts that Schumer has his cellphone number or can make the short walk to his office.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
LeBron James didn’t hold back from his retorts over his late-in-the-game elbow injury Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
The hearing also lacked contentious partisan moments, but there were some sharp retorts.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Affleck's Will retorts as a wink to David Schwimmer's line as Ross Geller to Aniston's Rachel Green on Friends.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
The Moon is at odds with three planets, which can trigger arguments, snide remarks and even cruel retorts.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
Olga retorts that his bird’s-eye analysis is a clever way of doing nothing.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
In theory, Thune has an open-door policy and frequently retorts that Schumer has his cellphone number or can make the short walk to his office.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retorts
Noun
-
Some of the insults refer to comments Talarico has made over the years.—
Danielle Kurtzleben,
NPR,
30 May 2026
-
In state offices, though men reported higher levels of threats and attacks, more women than men experienced harassment and insults.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Polis says the state task force will meet regularly to monitor drought conditions, coordinate interagency responses, and ensure resources and support are available to all communities in need.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
In the wake of 2020’s protests, many museums solicited responses from contemporary artists—particularly artists of color; A250 has spawned no such wave of institutional commissions.—
Greg Allen,
ARTnews.com,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
If the interviewer replies that no urgent issues ever come up - take that with a grain of salt.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
-
Abbass plays a housewife named Aida who replies to a casting call for extras to make ends meet.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The exchanges have included headline-making ripostes from Christian Pulisic and his entourage.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There’s a soft intake of breath before that first dulcet note; a horn answers in turn.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Her answers throughout 2025 and 2026 have been remarkably consistent.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
What’s more, Rick can’t get through to Danny, because the pop star’s brash and aggressive manager (Jack Reynor) refuses to put Rick through, and responds to his claims with threats.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
-
The staff responds to between 50 and 70 strandings annually, and the typical cause of death is pneumonia, Rust says.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Becerra, former Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, has staged one of the most surprising comebacks in recent state political history.—
Marisa Lagos,
NPR,
6 June 2026
-
The Raiders ultimately won 10-9 in eight innings, completing one of the most improbable comebacks in recent years.—
Molly Keshin,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retorts. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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