comebacks
Witty return remarks
Comebacks are returns to prominence after a period of decline or absence.
An aging athlete stages a comeback; a politician mounts one after scandal.
The word also means quick, clever replies to criticism or insult: I couldn't think of a good comeback until hours later.
Both senses share the idea of answering something—adversity or an opponent.
Swift retaliatory response
quip · rebuttal · counter · snappy reply · one-liner · putdown · diss · snap
Complete self-transformation
- second actDrama's middle segment
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- resurgenceReturn after dormancy
- returnGo back again
relevance · revival · relaunching · reclaiming · spotlight · limelight · headlines · chart-topping
Playful, teasing exchange
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
timing · delivery · sharpness · irony · humor · puns · raillery · badinage
Return after decline
- renaissancePeriod of renewed vitality
- return to formRegaining previous excellence
- reboundReturn after deflection
- turnaroundShift in opposite direction
second act · reinvention · redemption arc · phoenix · rally · recovery · re-emergence · renewal
Gathering for a cause
- upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
- overtimeWork beyond scheduled hours
- deficitAmount still owed
- fourth quarterLast of four segments
momentum · clutch · buzzer beater · underdog · improbable · historic · legendary · epic
clapback
Swift retaliatory response
rejoinder · quip · rebuttal · counter · snappy reply · one-liner · putdown · diss · snap · squelch
reinvention
Complete self-transformation
- second actDrama's middle segment
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- resurgenceReturn after dormancy
return · relevance · revival · relaunching · reclaiming · spotlight · limelight · headlines · chart-topping · blockbuster
banter
Playful, teasing exchange
cleverness · timing · delivery · sharpness · irony · humor · puns · raillery · badinage · verbal sparring
revival
Return after decline
- renaissancePeriod of renewed vitality
- return to formRegaining previous excellence
- reboundReturn after deflection
turnaround · second act · reinvention · redemption arc · phoenix · rally · recovery · re-emergence · renewal · rejuvenation
rally
Gathering for a cause
fourth quarter · momentum · clutch · buzzer beater · underdog · improbable · historic · legendary · epic · against the odds
- jokesjokes, joke, puns, one-liners, pun
- witticismsquips, witticisms, witticism, bon mots, bon mot
- comedycomedy, jokes, humor, puns, sarcasm
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- sports historyOlympic history, Olympic records, Olympics, Olympic Games, Olympic training
- achievementsaccomplishment, achievement, accomplishments, achievements, triumph
comebackssilence
Total lack of sound
acquiescence · submission · speechlessness · capitulation · stammering
comebacksdeclines
Refuses or diminishes
downfalls · collapses · defeats · failures · falls from grace
comebacksquestions
Requests for information
requests · provocations · opening remarks · insults · initiations
- comeback kidUnderdog who rallies repeatedly
- comeback storyTale of renewed success
- snappy comebackQuick, clever retort
- comeback winWinning after falling behind
- comeback tourRenewed concert series
- comeback albumMusic after hiatus