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!"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of 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
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
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
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
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
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
-
Years of insults and diss tracks and pranks and social media posts have followed, with small islands of peace floating by from time to time.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
When things go sour, both kids spew insults and indignation with a matter-of-fact insolence.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Across the experiments, the sensor network was consistently effective at producing distinct signal patterns and activating protective responses depending on the force applied.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Effective responses to multiple civic crises in today’s America depend on analysis of how people develop capacities for work on public challenges.—
Harry Boyte,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The voice that replies, however, is not that of his wife but rather an impoverished young woman who has entered the medium’s caravan to steal food.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Back to the sofa, TV on, Tom replies.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The exchanges have included headline-making ripostes from Christian Pulisic and his entourage.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But after hearing about recent illnesses and fatalities related to the death cap mushroom, Amanita phalloides, in California, Yturralde and several others who gathered in the Environmental Nature Center’s conference room sought answers about which mushrooms in the area are deadly.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
In Fallout, the answers are much more simple — a dangerous combo of eugenics and out-of-control capitalism.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Muscle man responds with a robotic, chatbot-like answer and then abruptly touts a special offer for workout-improving insoles.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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How the body responds to weight loss In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 40% of American adults live with obesity.—
Amy J. Sheer,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Three postseason exits, all one successful offensive drive away from Stafford leading one of his trademark fourth-quarter comebacks to advance.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
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But not even Liu’s coaches knew what to expect because comebacks at the elite level have rarely succeeded.—
Elliott Almond,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retorts. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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