riposte 1 of 2

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
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
  • The Chanel-as-love-story frame is his retort to those who would dismiss his everyday conceptualism as a poor fit for so lightsome a house.
    Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • The in-depth interviews included questions about how people had responded to loan requests from family and friends.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Lauren Spors’ attorney Vincent Guimont did not respond to a request for comment.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At best, viewers reply with admiration, applauding the Fadel's contestants for their quick thinking.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Company officials did not immediately reply to a reporter's questions about the decision.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That question may be answered in Salt Lake City.
    Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • According to the Star Tribune, park service officials did not answer questions about whether law enforcement responded to the call prior to the father and son's deaths being reported June 8.
    Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Riposte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riposte. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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