answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.
had answers to all their questions
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
reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.
a point-by-point reply to the accusation
rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.
a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument
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
Examples of retort in a Sentence
Verb (1)
when told she couldn't have it, she retorted, "Fine, I didn't want it anyway!" Noun (1)
she responded to the heckler with a scathing but hilarious retort that instantly won over the audience
the salesclerk responded to my query about the price with a brusque retort
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Verb
Boro’s fanbase will retort that there has been more than one of those lately.—Michael Walker, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025 Rhodes further retorted with a crude remark about Cena's microphone skills versus his physical attributes, and cautioned him against exaggerating his positive impact on WWE upon his departure.—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
Last week, Johnson’s office walked back one of his sharpest retorts to Trump yet, over the president’s threats to revoke funds from school districts that promote diversity, equity and inclusion practices.—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 Cena delivered more gems on the mic, but Rhodes had some solid retorts.—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for retort
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally, to twist back, hurl back, from re- + torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1
Noun (2)
Middle French retorte, from Medieval Latin retorta, from Latin, feminine of retortus; from its shape
: a container in which substances are distilled or broken down by heat
Etymology
Verb
from Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally "to twist back, hurl back," from re- "back, again" and torquēre "to twist" — related to distort, extort, torture
Noun
from early French retorte "a vessel in which substances are distilled," derived from Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre "to twist"; probably so called from its shape
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