counterinsult
Reciprocal verbal jab
A counterinsult is an insult given in response to an insult: She fired back a counterinsult before he could finish speaking.
The verb means to insult someone who has just insulted you.
The exchange implies escalation rather than de-escalation—meeting offense with offense.
Swift retaliatory response
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- riposteSwift clever reply
- comebackRecovery after decline
- zingerPointed witty remark
quip · sally · barb · put-down · dig · snap back · clap back · verbal jab
Playful, teasing exchange
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
cleverness · sharpness · quick-witted · silver-tongued · razor-sharp · punchline · wisecrack · snappy
clapback
Swift retaliatory response
zinger · quip · sally · barb · put-down · dig · snap back · clap back · verbal jab · retaliation
banter
Playful, teasing exchange
wordplay · cleverness · sharpness · quick-witted · silver-tongued · razor-sharp · punchline · wisecrack · snappy · zingy
biting
Harshly critical or cold
- scathingSeverely and bitingly critical
- witheringDrying and declining
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
venomous · savage · brutal · cutting · sharp · acerbic · sardonic · snide · blistering · stinging
counterinsultforgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
apology · olive branch · peace offering · measured response · silence