riposte
UK /ɹɪˈpəʊst/ · US /ɹɪˈpoʊst/ noun, verb
Forms ripostes riposting riposted ripost
- noun (fencing) A thrust given in return after parrying an attack.
- noun (by extension) A counter-attack in any combat or any sport.
- noun (figurative) A quick and usually witty response to a taunt.
- noun An answer or reply, rapidly uttered, in response to a question or problem.
- verb (fencing) To attempt to hit an opponent after parrying an attack.
- verb To respond quickly; particularly if the response is humorous.
Synonyms
retort rejoinder return replication comeback counter come back repay rejoin
Etymology
From French riposte, taken from Italian risposta, a derivative of the verb rispondere (“to respond”).
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “riposte”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details