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

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

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

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