Illustration of retort
- 3retort
retort
1 of 4verb (1)
re·tort ri-ˈtȯrt 
retorted; retorting; retorts
transitive verb
1
: to pay or hurl back : return
retort an insult
2
a
: to make a reply to
b
: to say in reply
3
: to answer (an argument) by a counter argument
intransitive verb
1
: to answer back usually sharply
2
: to return an argument or charge
3
: retaliate
retort
2 of 4noun (1)
: a quick, witty, or cutting reply
especially : one that turns back or counters the first speaker's words
retort
3 of 4noun (2)
re·tort ri-ˈtȯrt
ˈrē-ˌtȯrt
: a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
retort
4 of 4verb (2)
re·tort ri-ˈtȯrt
ˈrē-ˌtȯrt
retorted; retorting; retorts
transitive verb
: to treat (something, such as oil shale) by heating in a retort
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- answer
- come back
- rejoin
- reply
- respond
- return
- riposte
Noun (1)
- comeback
- repartee
- riposte
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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
First Known Use
Verb (1)
circa 1505, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
1610, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1527, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
1850, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing retort
Kids Definition
retort 1 of 2
verb
re·tort ri-ˈtȯrt
retorted; retorting
1
: to reply usually angrily or sharply
2
: to reply with an argument against
When Mom objected to ice cream as unhealthy, I retorted that it contained milk.
retort
2 of 2noun
: a quick, clever, or angry reply
Medical Definition
retort
noun
re·tort ri-ˈtȯ(ə)rt ˈrē-ˌ
ˈrē-ˌ : a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
retorts 1 of 2
noun
1
as in ripostes
a quick witty response she responded to the heckler with a scathing but hilarious retort that instantly won over the audience Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ripostes
- insults
- repartees
- comebacks
- quips
- wisecracks
- witticisms
- zingers
- squelches
- sallies
- back talks
- put-downs
- cuts
- cracks
2
as in replies
something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question the salesclerk responded to my query about the price with a brusque retort Synonyms & Similar Words
- replies
- responses
- answers
- rejoinders
- reactions
- returns
- remarks
- comebacks
- banters
- repartees
- comments
- observations
- communications
- rebuttals
- replications
- refutations
- justifications
- feedback
- back talks
- non sequiturs
- explanations
- persiflages
- acknowledgments
- correspondences
- defenses
- acknowledgements
- pleas
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- questions
- inquiries
- queries
- interrogations
- charges
- challenges
- interrogatories
- surveys
- quizzes
- cross-examinations
- questionnaires
- polls
retorts
2 of 2verb
as in responds
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction when told she couldn't have it, she retorted, "Fine, I didn't want it anyway!" Synonyms & Similar Words
- replies
- responds
- answers
- ripostes
- reacts
- comments
- remarks
- rejoins
- returns
- acknowledges
- counters
- explains
- comes back
- fields
- defends
- communicates
- corresponds
- refutes
- denies
- rebuts
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- asks
- inquires
- questions
- pumps
- interrogates
- challenges
- grills
- quizzes
- examines
- cross-examines
- queries
- surveys
- polls