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!"
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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
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
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
-
Men sneered contemptuously at them, while teenagers used their names as insults.—
Mikhail Zygar,
Vanity Fair,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Marty Supreme scene in question sees Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary (in his first screen acting role), who plays businessman Milton Rockwell, physically punish Chalamet's Marty for several insults Marty deals Milton throughout the movie.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Since that time, Pratt has dedicated himself to railing against Bass, the Los Angeles City Council, and California Governor Gavin Newsom for their responses to the fires.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The supportive responses stood out more.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 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
-
During cross-examination, he was upbraided for long answers that did not immediately answer the question he had been asked.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The affable star guard delivered another of his patently honest answers.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
American Airlines responds to FAA order Per the FAA order, American Airlines is reducing flight schedules by 4% at 40 airports Friday through Monday, amounting to about 220 flights canceled each day.—
Chase Jordan
Updated November 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Because everyone responds differently to a crisis.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Williams captained six fourth-quarter comebacks and set the franchise’s single-season passing record (3,942 yards).—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
When two comebacks failed, McMillan took a job managing a health club in White Marsh.—
C.J. Doon,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retorts. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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