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 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 Meanwhile, Walz took furious notes and had pointed rejoinders ready. Philip Elliott, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rejoinder 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rejoinder
Noun
  • The federal government would, in response, cut a $500,000 check to match.
    Ryan Levi, NPR, 10 Feb. 2025
  • As many Democrats in Congress have struggled to respond to the fire hose of disruption—at times seeming downright doddering in response to the White House’s potential upending of the constitutional order—the 53-year-old Schatz has helped his party find their footing.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Largely, those replies came from users who staunchly defended the OP.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • When people respond to that email, a second reply appears in a new thread with a new video of him going to a pet psychic.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The answer among Redditors—to an essentially unanimous degree—was no.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Central to this scene is Wallace’s belief that gadgets and technology are the answer to everything.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near rejoinder

Cite this Entry

“Rejoinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rejoinder. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rejoinder

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