Florence King

Any woman who has ever worked in a gutsy male environment knows that the correct response to a randy remark is an even more salacious retort. But timid feminists don't see it that way. To them, the proper reply is a lawsuit - that safe, modern version of the old slap in the face.

American Writer

Marjorie Liu

We've been conditioned to be incredibly avoidant. 'I'm afraid I'll be called a racist if I say something wrong,' is the familiar retort. Well, okay, that's scary and difficult, but staying silent, avoiding the issue, doesn't mean that racism goes away.

American Author

John Sununu

I think you can be tough and aggressive with facts in a way that you cannot be tough and aggressive with emotional retorts. Most of the people that try to be tough on TV are really just being emotional and not factual.

American Politician

Ben Rattray

There are a lot of complaints by the older generation about the lack of action in this generation. My retort: give these people something to be engaged in. Cutting a check is not engaging.

American Businessman

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Audiences are always better pleased with a smart retort, some joke or epigram, than with any amount of reasoning.

Corey Lewandowski

Mr. Trump fights back. He doesn't fight back with one retort. He continuously reminds people.

American

Alan Colmes

I can be just as effective with a quick retort or a one-liner than with a big paragraph.

American Journalist

Use 'retort' to show you're defending yourself in a conversation, often with a biting tone.

Defensive Reaction

Retorts usually convey strong emotions, such as annoyance or anger.

Emotional Charge

'Retort' suggests a prompt reply, without pause to reflect.

Immediate Reply

'Retort' often implies cleverness or humor in the reply.

Humor and Wit

In conversation, a retort is like a verbal counterattack.

Verbal Sparring

A good retort is memorable and leaves an impact on the listener or reader.

Impactful Response

In a laboratory setting, 'retort' has a very specific meaning as a piece of equipment.

Scientific Context

The scientific 'retort' is technical jargon, used by professionals in chemistry and related fields.

Technical Terminology

Don't confuse the scientific 'retort' with cooking equipment; they serve different purposes.

Not For Cooking

 from slapstick to double acts to impersonations to political satire. Through the praise of free speech and the celebration of ordinary heroes, his plays made his audience think while they laughed. And his retort to Kleon in 425 BC still resonates

Why is Aristophanes...

 "Why do you call yourselves atheists?" "'Agnostic, '" retorted Aveling, "was simply 'atheist' writ respectable, and 'atheist' was simply 'agnostic' writ aggressive."