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

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 Hellerstein retorted in one exchange with the prosecutor, questioning how the Maduros’ ability to pay their lawyers had any bearing on national security. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 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

This disinformation, often fueled by fossil-fuel interests and amplified by platform algorithms, is described as lethal, drowning out critical public safety information and hindering emergency responses.

— David Vetter, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
The idea is to train the immune system to recognize and kill those unique cancer markers and then pair that response with Keytruda, which helps the body attack the cancer more effectively.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of response

Verb

University responds In a press release on Monday, the university said Delta Upsilon was placed on interim suspension while the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response investigates.

— Michael Guise, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the case.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of respond

Noun

Whether that’s a compliment or an insult depends on your perspective.

— Omar Kelly August 17, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026
The Fantasy Football Draft is that magical stretch of hours where friends, enemies and division nemesis all cram into one room to sling insults with the confidence of seasoned analysts.

— Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

Those conspiracy theories, Wagner said, are often ways of looking at the world that provide answers to questions when an outcome is too uncomfortable for people.

— Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
An intelligence layer built on top of fragmented operational data produces answers that sound actionable and are not.

— William Jones, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of answer

Verb

Atletico denied this was the case and publicly replied to Barca’s interest with a series of social media posts linking them to absurd bids for Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha.

— James McNicholas, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Study authors James Blignaut and Swan replied to the criticism in a subsequent letter published in June.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of reply

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

Democrats have hoped to mount a comeback in the diverse, populous and economically dynamic state but have struggled to craft a message that resonates with the state’s electorate.

— Matt Brown, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
But that means in his own mind the abandonment and betrayal of his sense of identity as a tennis player who never gives up, who has staged so many comebacks.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of comeback

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“Retort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retort. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of retort

noun

verb

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