Retort
verb
To respond quickly or sharply to someone's comment or accusation.
She retorted that it was not her fault the project failed.
Often appears as...
- retort quickly
- retort sharply
noun
A quick, sharp, or clever reply.
His clever retort made everyone laugh.
Often appears as...
- sharp retort
- witty retort
noun
A type of glass container used in a laboratory for heating substances.
The chemist used a retort to heat the liquid.
Often appears as...
- glass retort
- use a retort
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To respond quickly or sharply to someone's comment or accusation.
She retorted that it was not her fault the project failed.
Often appears as...
- retort quickly
- retort sharply
noun
A quick, sharp, or clever reply.
His clever retort made everyone laugh.
Often appears as...
- sharp retort
- witty retort
noun
A type of glass container used in a laboratory for heating substances.
The chemist used a retort to heat the liquid.
Often appears as...
- glass retort
- use a retort
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Defensive Reaction
Use 'retort' to show you're defending yourself in a conversation, often with a biting tone.
When accused of laziness, he retorted, 'I've done more work than anyone else here!'
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Charge
Retorts usually convey strong emotions, such as annoyance or anger.
She retorted with tears in her eyes, denying the allegations.
Pro Tip 3/3Immediate Reply
'Retort' suggests a prompt reply, without pause to reflect.
He retorted instantly, dismissing the critique.
Pro Tip 1/3Defensive Reaction
Use 'retort' to show you're defending yourself in a conversation, often with a biting tone.
When accused of laziness, he retorted, 'I've done more work than anyone else here!'
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Charge
Retorts usually convey strong emotions, such as annoyance or anger.
She retorted with tears in her eyes, denying the allegations.
Pro Tip 3/3Immediate Reply
'Retort' suggests a prompt reply, without pause to reflect.
He retorted instantly, dismissing the critique.
Pro Tip 1/3Defensive Reaction
Use 'retort' to show you're defending yourself in a conversation, often with a biting tone.
When accused of laziness, he retorted, 'I've done more work than anyone else here!'
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Charge
Retorts usually convey strong emotions, such as annoyance or anger.
She retorted with tears in her eyes, denying the allegations.
Pro Tip 3/3Immediate Reply
'Retort' suggests a prompt reply, without pause to reflect.
He retorted instantly, dismissing the critique.
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Video examples
Why is Aristophanes...
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
Video examples
Militant atheism PIPE...
"Why do you call yourselves atheists?" "'Agnostic, '" retorted Aveling, "was simply 'atheist' writ respectable, and 'atheist' was simply 'agnostic' writ aggressive."
Video examples
Why is Aristophanes...
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
Video examples
Militant atheism PIPE...
"Why do you call yourselves atheists?" "'Agnostic, '" retorted Aveling, "was simply 'atheist' writ respectable, and 'atheist' was simply 'agnostic' writ aggressive."
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Florence King
American Writer
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.
Quote examples
Marjorie Liu
American Author
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.
Quote examples
John Sununu
American Politician
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.
Quote examples
Ben Rattray
American Businessman
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.
Quote examples
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
American Writer
Audiences are always better pleased with a smart retort, some joke or epigram, than with any amount of reasoning.
Quote examples
Corey Lewandowski
American
Mr. Trump fights back. He doesn't fight back with one retort. He continuously reminds people.
Quote examples
Alan Colmes
American Journalist
I can be just as effective with a quick retort or a one-liner than with a big paragraph.
Quote examples
Florence King
American Writer
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.
Quote examples
Marjorie Liu
American Author
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.
Quote examples
John Sununu
American Politician
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.
Quote examples
Ben Rattray
American Businessman
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.
Quote examples
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
American Writer
Audiences are always better pleased with a smart retort, some joke or epigram, than with any amount of reasoning.
Quote examples
Corey Lewandowski
American
Mr. Trump fights back. He doesn't fight back with one retort. He continuously reminds people.
Quote examples
Alan Colmes
American Journalist
I can be just as effective with a quick retort or a one-liner than with a big paragraph.
Example 1 of 7
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