Synonym Chooser

How does the noun rejoinder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rejoinder are answer, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Where would answer be a reasonable alternative to rejoinder?

While in some cases nearly identical to rejoinder, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When is reply a more appropriate choice than rejoinder?

The meanings of reply and rejoinder largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When could response be used to replace rejoinder?

The words response and rejoinder can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When can retort be used instead of rejoinder?

The synonyms retort and rejoinder are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

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 rejoinder At first glance, recent history would seem to furnish an obvious rejoinder to such caution: the United States waged, and won, a nearly half-century-long global struggle against the Soviet Union. Ali Wyne, Foreign Affairs, 23 Nov. 2022 And on top of that, the movie felt like a cruel rejoinder to anyone who’d ever believed that the once-red-hot Shyamalan could right the ship. Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024 When critics warn about Trump’s threat, the constant rejoinder is that democracy already survived four years of Trump in office. Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 This pushback and occasional calling to task not only makes for compelling reading, but serves as an apt rejoinder to those who would collapse their differences into some kind of monolithic Octoberite orthodoxy. Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for rejoinder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rejoinder
Noun
  • This response comes after the U.S. imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU in March.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The pause came hours after the European Union voted to approve retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion in goods, starting April 15, in response to Trump’s previously announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum—which remain in effect.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His answer was best reflected in the eye roll that preceded his reply.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Gmail’s Smart Reply uses AI to subtly suggest replies based on your email patterns—saving you time without sounding robotic.
    Adnan Ghaffar, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The sighting left the researchers with more questions than answers… but that’s the beauty of studying the ocean.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Texas, though, pressured TCU all game and the Horned Frogs had no answer.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rejoinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rejoinder. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rejoinder

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