Synonyms of retorts

retorts 1 of 2

noun

plural of retort

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

• insults
• ripostes
• repartees
• comebacks
• quips
• wisecracks
• witticisms
• zingers
• sallies
• squelches
• cuts
• back talks
• put-downs
• cracks

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

• responses
• replies
• answers
• rejoinders
• reactions
• returns
• remarks
• comebacks
• comments
• observations
• banters
• communications
• repartees
• replications
• feedback
• rebuttals
• back talks
• justifications
• non sequiturs
• explanations
• refutations
• persiflages
• correspondences
• acknowledgments
• defenses
• pleas

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• questions
• inquiries
• queries
• challenges
• charges
• interrogations
• interrogatories
• surveys
• questionnaires
• quizzes
• polls
• cross-examinations

retorts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of retort

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

• replies
• responds
• answers
• reacts
• ripostes
• returns
• rejoins
• remarks
• comments
• comes back
• explains
• acknowledges
• counters
• corresponds
• communicates
• refutes
• defends
• denies
• fields
• rebuts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• asks
• inquires
• questions
• pumps
• examines
• challenges
• quizzes
• interrogates
• queries
• surveys
• grills
• cross-examines
• polls

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retorts

Noun

Her son is a carbon copy of his dad — looks like him and acts like him, particularly with his funny comments, comebacks and retorts. — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026

Our minds generate sharp retorts or zingers that would eviscerate or humiliate them. — Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Reached by phone for comment, David Pimm, the president of the Bohemian National Cemetery Association, said two of the cemetery’s three retorts, or furnaces, were not working due to an electrical fire. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

But retorts in this arena could carry significant consequences. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 28 July 2026

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

Verb

But the ambassador retorts with evasion, keeping the language cryptic. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2026

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