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
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Recent Examples of riposte
Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
All such theories, however, have appeared to be unreliable and speculative since any first strikes would have to contend with the risk of an enemy launch on warning as well as sufficient systems surviving for a devastating riposte.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riposte
Noun
Losing in three sets was a riposte to those who feared the match wouldn’t be competitive.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
All such theories, however, have appeared to be unreliable and speculative since any first strikes would have to contend with the risk of an enemy launch on warning as well as sufficient systems surviving for a devastating riposte.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
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For many, banging them in against the likes of Konyaspor and Goztepe last term is not a convincing retort to those questions.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Resist the urge to criticize someone or make a fast retort that will spark arguments.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Officers responding to a 911 call were at the church within 30 seconds and killed the shooter about eight minutes later, Renye said.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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The State Department referred a request for comment on potential impacts to passport processing to the Office of Management and Budget, which did not immediately respond.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So as Scheffler sank a birdie and John Rahm thrillingly replied in similar fashion, some fans could not see the action.—
Kevin Coulson,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Democrats have replied that this is prevented by federal law, though some states permit it, including through Medicaid.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sports writer Mike Organ first came to The Tennessean in 1977, at age 14, to answer phones.—
Nicole Young,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Minasian absolutely could have answered that question.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riposte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riposte. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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