RETORTS Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

retorts 1 of 2

noun

plural of retort

as in insults

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 responses

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

retorts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of retort

as in replies

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!"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 retorts

Noun

Her son is a carbon copy of his dad — looks like him and acts like him, particularly with his funny comments, comebacks and retorts. — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026 Our minds generate sharp retorts or zingers that would eviscerate or humiliate them. — Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Reached by phone for comment, David Pimm, the president of the Bohemian National Cemetery Association, said two of the cemetery’s three retorts, or furnaces, were not working due to an electrical fire. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 But retorts in this arena could carry significant consequences. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 28 July 2026 LeBron James didn’t hold back from his retorts over his late-in-the-game elbow injury Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026 The hearing also lacked contentious partisan moments, but there were some sharp retorts. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026 Affleck's Will retorts as a wink to David Schwimmer's line as Ross Geller to Aniston's Rachel Green on Friends. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026 The Moon is at odds with three planets, which can trigger arguments, snide remarks and even cruel retorts. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026

Verb

But the ambassador retorts with evasion, keeping the language cryptic. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2026 Olga retorts that his bird’s-eye analysis is a clever way of doing nothing. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025 In theory, Thune has an open-door policy and frequently retorts that Schumer has his cellphone number or can make the short walk to his office. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retorts

Noun

The incident reportedly started after a group sitting behind McHenry started shouting insults toward Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma about his fiancée, Winnie Harlow.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The debate was somewhat tamer than the two candidates' first faceoff earlier this month, which featured insults and interruptions in virtually every answer.

— Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of insults

Noun

PwC’s 2026 Global CEO Survey, based on responses from 4,454 CEOs across 95 countries and territories, found that 56% had realized neither revenue nor cost benefits from AI.

— Kelvin Cheema, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
The goal of the center, a senior official told Chelsea, is to get to the bottom of why some people’s immune systems have more robust responses than others, and to learn more about diseases, as well as ways to make vaccines more safe and effective.

— Amanda Erickson, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of responses

Verb

The automation should end when the customer replies, books, declines, becomes unqualified or needs a decision from a person.

— Michael Fox, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
The video then shows Duff taking off her earpiece and saying something to her bandmate, who replies with an unsure gesture.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

Definition of replies

Noun

Ultimately, Kipe said, the podcast is about helping others who are looking for answers.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Helping other families Their experience seeking answers in Amy’s case and hearing other families describe similar struggles, prompted Shawn and Angie to consider starting a nonprofit years ago.

— Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of answers

Verb

Slowing light strengthens its interaction with a device, improving efficiency, but electrical resistance can limit how quickly the modulator responds.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Trump’s presidency seems rooted in a policy du jour mindset which responds first and foremost to pleasuring his insatiable ego.

— Kevin Igoe, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of responds

Browse Nearby Words

retorting

retorts

retouch

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Style

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

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Synonyms of retorts

noun

verb

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