riposte 1 of 2

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

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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
Choice comments from Mary Earps about head coach Sarina Wiegman and goalkeeping rival Hannah Hampton provoked a cutting riposte from Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor. Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025 Trump then rejected O’Donnell’s riposte that only North Korea was actually testing nuclear weapons. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Nov. 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
  • What is a good retort for those who ask about my family status?
    Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Bruins fans didn’t have much of a retort, either.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • With micro-dramas, if audiences don’t respond on the day a title is released, the social-media algorithm stops promoting it, and Zhou immediately changes what he green-lights.
    Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Though the Red Sox got a run back in the top of the second on a solo homer by Wilyer Abreu, the Orioles immediately responded with a Rutschman fielder’s choice in the second, and then extended the lead on a solo shot by Samuel Basallo in the third.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Your words mean business today, so pitch the idea, ask the question or at least reply back.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Fritz replied that the language of the letter showed empathy and remorse.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Defenceman Kaiden Guhle took a big breath when asked about it, presumably to gather himself before answering.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Westerheide declined to answer follow-up questions about the Patton autopsy.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Riposte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riposte. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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