Meaning & use
retort
Last updated
A quick, sharp, or witty reply, especially one made in response to criticism or a remark.
See it in a sentence
Her sharp retort left the heckler with nothing more to say.
He fired back a retort before she had even finished her sentence.
A note on using this word
Can be used as both a noun (the reply itself) and a verb (the act of replying sharply).
Words with a similar meaning
comebackriposte
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To reply quickly and often sharply or wittily.
"I never said that," he retorted defensively.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “retort”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.