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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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

Owens has directly confronted Punk about his controversial past and treatment of mutual friends, prompting Punk's sharp retorts. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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 In amongst the abuse hurled at Rory McIlroy, the beer thrown at Rory McIlroy, the emphatic retorts from Rory McIlroy and also some golf from Rory McIlory (and 23 other guys), something interesting kept cropping up during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

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 exchange began when Pham criticized Myers over a play, leading to a heated back-and-forth online, with Pham eventually resorting to personal insults.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
For racist, homophobic, and discriminatory chants and insults made by Argentine spectators during matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, England, and Spain, a fine of $100,000 and a similar amount suspended for a period of 6 months.

— Michelle Kaufman August 21, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of insults

Noun

One of the more surreal responses to that experience is applause, which ripples through the audience of Paranormal Activity a beat after all the major scares, like rain settling in after a peal of thunder.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Girls tend to be more adept at mimicking social responses like eye contact and reciprocal play.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of responses

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
Saturday’s second preseason game against the Giants hopefully can yield some answers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of answers

Verb

Every year across the nation, Belgium’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Destruction Service responds to more than 3,000 calls and disposes of 200 to 250 tons of munitions left over from both world wars.

— Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
CoreCivic responds to concerns at Stewart CBS News Atlanta reached out to ICE and CoreCivic for comment on Binam's current detention and the calls for her release.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of responds

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
Four-time champion Max Verstappen, 110 points back after a poor start, remains a wild card, having demonstrated remarkable comebacks previously.

— Beau Dure, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of comebacks

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 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of retorts

noun

verb

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