noun

retort

rih-TAWT

Retort (noun) means a sharp, witty, or cutting reply, especially one that turns an insult back on the person who made it. Example: “Her retort left him speechless.”

noun

A sharp, witty, or cutting reply, especially one that turns an insult back on the person who made it.

"Her retort left him speechless."

""At least I have a job," was his quick retort."

A long-necked glass flask used in chemistry, or a sealed vessel used in industry for heating materials at high temperatures.

"The chemist heated the mixture in a glass retort."

"The plant uses large metal retorts to smelt the ore."

verb

To answer sharply or wittily, especially by turning the original remark back on the speaker.

""I could say the same about you," she retorted."

"He retorted that it was none of her business."

How to use retort

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sharp comeback in speech, or a special flask/vessel used for heating things in chemistry and industry.

Common pairings

a witty retort retort sharply a glass retort

Word forms

retorted past tense, retorted past tense, retorts plural, retorts plural, retorts singular, retorts singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Her _____ left him speechless.

Etymology

From Latin retorquere, "to twist back" — the flask was named for its bent neck.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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return counter comeback repay replication rejoin riposte rejoinder come back

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “retort” mean?

The word “retort” means a sharp, witty, or cutting reply, especially one that turns an insult back on the person who made it. In plain terms, a sharp comeback in speech, or a special flask/vessel used for heating things in chemistry and industry.

How do you pronounce “retort”?

“Retort” is pronounced rih-TAWT (/ɹɪˈtɔɹt/ in IPA).

How do you use “retort” in a sentence?

Here is “retort” used in a sentence: “Her retort left him speechless.”

What part of speech is “retort”?

Depending on how it is used, “retort” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “retort” come from?

The word “retort” comes from Latin. From Latin retorquere, "to twist back" — the flask was named for its bent neck.

How many meanings does “retort” have?

“Retort” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sharp, witty, or cutting reply, especially one that turns an insult back on the person who made it.

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