Antonyms for retort

Grammar : Noun, verb

Spell : ri-tawrt

Phonetic Transcription : rɪˈtɔrt

Definition of retort

Origin : 1550s, "make return in kind" (especially of an injury), from Old French retort and directly from Latin retortus, past participle of retorquere "turn back, twist back, throw back," from re- "back" (see re-) + torquere "to twist" (see thwart). Applied to exchanges of jest or sarcasm by c.1600, hence "say or utter sharply and aggressively in reply" (1620s). Related: Retorted; retorting.

noun snappy answer
verb answer

Example sentences :

Her raillery, like the raillery of princes, was without fear of retort.
Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth

Kirkwood's smile robbed the retort of any flavor of incivility.
Extract from : « The Black Bag » by Louis Joseph Vance

Mr Pecksniff was, as a matter of course, greatly entertained by this retort.
Extract from : « Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit » by Charles Dickens

I dared not retort, but I looked so hard at his paunch that the General smiled.
Extract from : « The Cavalier » by George Washington Cable

Karl had not the subtlety to retort, “Ay, but does it say what we like?”
Extract from : « The First Violin » by Jessie Fothergill

"You're going to see one now," was all the retort Tom permitted himself.
Extract from : « Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout » by Victor Appleton

It was this play that drew forth from a woman, an American playwright, the retort stinging.
Extract from : « The Group » by Mercy Warren

But suppose that he were to retort, 'Thrasymachus, what do you mean?
Extract from : « The Republic » by Plato

But the moment it had subsided the derided one shot out his retort.
Extract from : « The Night Riders » by Ridgwell Cullum

But he did not retort; nor, to her surprise, did he raise his voice or order her off the premises.
Extract from : « Thankful's Inheritance » by Joseph C. Lincoln

Synonyms for retort

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019