rejoinder

Quick verbal comeback

A rejoinder is a reply, especially a quick, sharp, or witty one: She had a ready rejoinder for every objection.

The word suggests a response that answers back rather than simply responds—often in argument or debate.

In legal contexts, a rejoinder is the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's reply.

retort

comeback

Recovery after decline

riposteSwift clever reply
retortQuick, cutting reply
replyVerbal or written answer

answer · rebuttal · counterargument · quip · response · repartee · sally · backtalk · counterstatement · counterclaim

wit

banter

Playful, teasing exchange

quipBrief, clever remark
witticismClever, amusing remark
reparteeQuick, clever conversation

wordplay · cleverness · riposte · wisecrack · one-liner · bon mot · barb · jibe · gibe · dry humor

debate

argument

Reasoned case or dispute

rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
refutationDisproving a statement

objection · dispute · contention · response · cross-examination · surrebuttal · closing argument · challenge · contradiction · defense

Categories

argumentsargument, arguing, disagreement, bickering, dispute
dialogueconversation, line, lines, banter, talk
remarksremark, comment, statement, observation, note
responsesresponse, answering, answer, reply, replying
verbal responsesreplying, responding, retorting, confirming, denying
Zingerszinger, zing, burn, comeback, retort

Opposites

communicative sequence position

rejoinderopening statement

First formal address

first word · overture · preamble · introduction · lead-in

discourse function

rejoinderquestion

Request for information

inquiry · interrogation · challenge · charge · cross-examination

Family

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G