retort
14
6.1
- noun
- /rɪˈtɔrt/
:
réplica
- When criticized, she replied with a clever retort that silenced her opponent.
And then a common retort is, well, can they come and live at your house?
- And then a common retort is, well, can they come and live at your house?
- Now, the obvious retort might be yeah, but that's a totally unrealistic scenario.
- And it's it's the name for the experience of thinking up the perfect retort for something only after you've left the party and are walking downstairs.
- you know, and the retort to that is, well, you know, the only way to to
- And now when you ask me, I have a simple retort and I just say the whatever the slogan is, that's what happens.
- That's that's a sort of common retort from the low carb carnivore camp that these the blood work is misleading because it doesn't necessarily mean what it says.
Examples
-
Conek gave the major a sour look, ready with a retort of his own.
Fiction book (1991) -
I have no witty retort to that.
-
And then a common retort is, well, can they come and live at your house?
-
I could have come up with a funny retort because I also know the first rule of comedy.
-
Yeah, I guess my only retort to that would be you, Larry.
-
I happen to enjoy reading all of your retorts on here that I can find!
Blog text (23) -
Let me guess, you finally came up with a snappy retort?
-
The cry, "There's no proof of warming!" elicits the retort, "Sure there is!"
Academic text (2006) -
Now, the obvious retort might be yeah, but that's a totally unrealistic scenario.
-
Athos appreciates the young man's retort and takes a closer look.
Fiction book (1993)
Synonyms
60
6.7
A statement that says another person's argument is wrong
47
3.7
A quick witty or critical reply to a remark
39
3.9
A quick reply or action in response to something
9
8.3
Short, clever answers that make people laugh or the skill of giving them in conversation
5
8.2
A quick clever reply that shows someone made a good point
4
7.7
A quick clever reply that answers and often criticizes someone
2
8.3
A quick clever reply to a remark or criticism
1
3.6
A fast, clever reply to a remark or insult
A quick clever reply that answers an insult or criticism
A quick smart reply that surprises and stops someone from criticizing you
A quick, clever reply that surprises others
A sharp reply that answers an accusation or argument
A very quick answer to a question given without thinking, often one after another
Antonyms
How Sharp
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word retort as a noun meaning a quick reply comes from the same Latin parts re- 'back' and torquere 'to twist'. That's why a retort is a sharp or clever answer that 'twists back' what someone has said.