riposte 1 of 2

noun

ri-ˈpōst How to pronounce riposte (audio)
Definition of ripostenext
as in retort
a quick witty response he's known for having a brilliant riposte to nearly any insult

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riposte

2 of 2

verb

as in to respond
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction at cocktail parties she could riposte with lightning speed to even the most unexpected quip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of riposte
Noun
Meanwhile, on Wednesday evening, Carr posted a riposte to a commenter on X who took aim at the FCC chief. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026 The riposte sealed his break with Surrealist affiliation. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Some enemy attacks can only be dodged, while parrying others gives you the opportunity to riposte. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for riposte
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riposte
  1. retort
  2. respond
  3. reply
  4. answer
Noun
  • Owens has directly confronted Punk about his controversial past and treatment of mutual friends, prompting Punk's sharp retorts.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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
Definition of retort
Verb
  • University responds In a press release on Monday, the university said Delta Upsilon was placed on interim suspension while the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response investigates.
    — Michael Guise, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the case.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of respond
Verb
  • Atletico denied this was the case and publicly replied to Barca’s interest with a series of social media posts linking them to absurd bids for Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Study authors James Blignaut and Swan replied to the criticism in a subsequent letter published in June.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of reply
Verb
  • The curve answers to one thing, which is how old the owner happens to be.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Teenager Cavan Sullivan scored early in the first half for Philadelphia, but Austin FC defender Brendan Hines-Ike answered three minutes later for a 1-1 draw with the Union on Saturday night.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of answer

Browse Nearby Words

rip-offs
riposte
riposted
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Cite this Entry

“Riposte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riposte. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on riposte

Nglish: Translation of riposte for Spanish Speakers

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