He was tempted to retort, but thought better of it.
Source: tatoeba (302472)
Retort
/ɹɪˈtɔɹt/
Synonyms for "retort" (201 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (41)
Strong matches (60)
counterattackcounterblastcounterblowcounterchargecounterfirecounterinsurgencycountermeasurecounterrevolutioncounterstepcounterstrokecrackcrucibledefenseechoengineepigramevaporatorevasive replyexchangefacetiae
Show 29 more words
flash backflash of witflight of witgagget back atgibegive acknowledgmentgive and takegive answergive in exchangegive in returngive-and-takehappy thoughthit back atinterchangejapejestjokelathemachinemelting potmortarmotmotornasty crackpersiflageplay of witpleasantryquip
Related words (100)
quips and cranksreactreactionready replyrebutrebuttalreceiptreciprocatereciprocationrecoilrecriminationreechorejoinrejoinderreparteereplicationreplyrepostreprisalrescript
Show 41 more words
rescriptionrespondrespondenceresponseresponsionresponsoryretaliateretaliationreturnreturn answerreturn for answerrevengereverberatereverberationripostesallysaysay in replyscintillationshoot backshort answersmart cracksmart sayingsnappy comebackspraysquelchstillstrike backstroke of wittalk backtest tubetransducertransformerturn of thoughtturn the tablesvaporizerwisecrackwitticismwitty replywitty retortyes-and-no answer
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: comeback, counter, rejoinder, acknowledge, acknowledgment.
- Sentence evidence is available for retort, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "retort".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "retort"
Keep "retort" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "retort" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "retort", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "retort" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
16 entriesMore specific
9 entriesCollocations
9 entriesbiting retortclever retortdeft retortlaboratory retortpolite retortquick retortsharp retortverbal retortwitty retort
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriesSample sentences
15 total sentences available.
A large curved retort was boiling furiously in the bluish flame of a Bunsen burner, and the distilled drops were condensing into a two-litre measure.
Source: tatoeba (7414067)
In the works since 2012, the deal is seen by some as China's retort to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, negotiations for which excluded China and fell apart when the US pulled out.
Source: tatoeba (11048352)
The prime minister designate's retort came after the U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins, made a comment earlier this week disputing Canada's assertion of sovereignty over Arctic waters the United States considers international territory.
Source: tatoeba (11048358)
Showing 4 of 15 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "retort"?
Closest matches include comeback, counter, rejoinder, acknowledge, acknowledgment.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "retort"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.