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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retorts
Noun
-
The insults came after Duffy made a series of public appearances to proclaim NASA's intention of reopening a contract with SpaceX for a moon lander for its upcoming Artemis III mission.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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Carter was sitting in her chair, listening to a lesson, when Octavius Johnson, a classmate who had a crush on her, started to fire off insults.—
Jeff Pearlman,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Charles Winstead of the San Francisco Bay Area has seen several climbing accidents while climbing El Capitan over the past few weeks and attests to the quick responses from park personnel.—
Ignacio Calderon,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Many students reported conflicting responses from the security staff in the time between the game and the concert.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Attorney General Weiser replies that medical science evolves over time.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The man replies with further details to justify the figure.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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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The grand jury could issue criminal indictments and get answers to crucial questions in a scandal that has dominated state politics this year.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Copilot’s tendency to produce bullet points instead of extended paragraphs can be useful for quick summaries, but Gemini's answers seem more like the products of thought.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Research suggests that echinacea may improve how your body handles glucose and responds to insulin.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
19 Oct. 2025
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Exec Casual responds to hybrid lifestyles, blending soft tailoring that effortlessly transition from work to weekend.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Dodgers themselves have been part of seven of those 15 comebacks, winning four of them.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
15 Oct. 2025
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It’s credited with helping boost all three of its stars to comebacks after years of declining roles.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retorts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retorts. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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