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

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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

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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

This week, the network delivered a sharp retort, accusing the agency of waging a campaign of political retribution. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 But retorts in this arena could carry significant consequences. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 28 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

The post brought an immediate, hot-blooded riposte from Garry Tan.

— Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Wong crafted a riposte to MGM’s faux China portrayed in The Good Earth by producing a motion picture about the actual China featuring a person with actual Chinese heritage, herself.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of riposte

Noun

My response was to remind them that their generosity could have big financial consequences.

— Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The hospital system didn’t say that it was being dropped over a specific policy, and an insurance trade group pointed to the high cost of specialty care for children in a response to the hospital’s statements.

— Jack Harvel October 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of response

Noun

Try to remember that your teen’s eyes were focused squarely on the $100 prize and so this is an issue of overlooking rather than one of insult.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Yet in a land where machismo still reigns, it’s considered a rather severe insult.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

The Hollywood Reporter got a sneak peek of Meemaw, which sees Barr running amok in thrift store furs at rooster fights — closer in tone to trailer park comedy like My Name Is Earl than the three-camera repartee of Roseanne.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
The repartee sparkles; the farcical touches lighten the tone.

— Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of repartee

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retools

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retorted

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“Retort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retort. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of retort

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