RETORT Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'retort' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of retort are answer , rejoinder , reply , and response . While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack. // she made a cutting retort to her critics

Q: When can 'answer' be used instead of 'retort'?

While the synonyms answer and retort are close in meaning, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need. // had answers to all their questions

Q: In what contexts can 'rejoinder' take the place of 'retort'?

Although the words rejoinder and retort have much in common, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection. // a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Q: When would 'reply' be a good substitute for 'retort'?

The synonyms reply and retort are sometimes interchangeable, but reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised. // a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'response' instead of 'retort'?

While in some cases nearly identical to retort , response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus. // a response to the call for recruits

retort 1 of 2

noun

Definition of retort

as in riposte

a quick witty response she responded to the heckler with a scathing but hilarious retort that instantly won over the audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in response

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

retort

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈtȯrt

as in to respond

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!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun retort differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of retort are answer, rejoinder, reply, and response. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

When can answer be used instead of retort?

While the synonyms answer and retort are close in meaning, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

In what contexts can rejoinder take the place of retort?

Although the words rejoinder and retort have much in common, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When would reply be a good substitute for retort?

The synonyms reply and retort are sometimes interchangeable, but reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When is it sensible to use response instead of retort?

While in some cases nearly identical to retort, response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

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 retort

Noun

Before James chose Philly, Edwards had a retort to the possibility of his team being spurned by James. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 24 July 2026 In a blistering retort on Instagram, Paris’ deputy mayor Audrey Pulvar stepped into the arena on Grégoire’s behalf, blasting American commentators for mocking France’s climate woes while contributing the most to global emissions. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 July 2026

Verb

Morgan retorted several of his statements. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026 The debtor and Labus retorted that the Trust is a valid spendthrift trust according to this plain language and thus the Trust assets were not available to creditors of the debtor. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retort

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retort

Noun

Binface never breaks character and delivers snarky ripostes when challenged to lift the lid.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
The aftermath of England’s 2-1 win in Miami was dominated by Tuchel’s criticism of the performance, and Jude Bellingham’s sharp riposte.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of riposte

Noun

Rather than just controlling throttle response, as most of these systems do on electric bikes, Bonnell’s clutch actually ramps phase amps directly, creating a more natural clutch-like feel, the company’s CEO says.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Former senior vice president of people and culture Erin Dangerfield, now Golden State’s chief people officer, allegedly questioned Vasquez about her responses in the survey.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of response

Verb

Mamdani opened the news conference by expressing his condolences to the victims and their families and thanking the officers who responded.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Two people were stabbed, one fatally, near Times Square on Monday afternoon, with responding authorities shooting and killing the female suspect, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of respond

Noun

He was subsequently dismissed by Dior and, months later, found guilty by a French court of making public insults based on origin, religion, race, or ethnicity.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
The arrest came after Kelley Wolf had reportedly made a series of hostile social media posts, which featured insults and allegations against various friends and family, including her ex-husband, Wolf.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

Senior tight end Ryan Wynn was the Panthers’ answer to Konkey.

— Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Users will not see ads or sponsored links near their conversations, and the chatbot's answers will not be influenced by third-party product placements, Anthropic had said.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of answer

Noun

Through rapid-fire verbal repartee, constant close-ups, and frantic cuts, Deramas treads a careful line between tragedy and comedy, the latter a psychological weapon against the former.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026
Faith King and Josiah Fagerstrom both deliver delightfully prickly repartee as their characters gradually manage to surpass archetype.

— Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of repartee

Noun

The Bears had a knack for big plays in big moments last season — just look at their seven fourth-quarter comebacks and a league-leading number of takeaways.

— NBC Sports, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
The song was written as a comeback hit for Brenda Lee, who somehow failed to see it as the comeback hit it could’ve been, deciding not to bother with it.

— Ed Masley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of comeback

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retools

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“Retort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retort. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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verb

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