riposte
Parry's sharp sequel
A riposte is a quick, sharp reply to an attack—originally a fencing term for a counterthrust following a parry.
The word now usually describes a clever verbal comeback: Her riposte silenced the heckler.
As a verb, to riposte is to make such a response: He riposted with a joke at his own expense.
Reply to a reply
- retortQuick, cutting reply
- quipBrief, clever remark
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- comebackRecovery after decline
wisecrack · zinger · sally · barb · clapback · put-down · snappy reply · cutting remark
Defensive blade deflection
- lungeSudden forward movement
- thrustForceful forward motion
- touchéAcknowledgment of valid counterpoint
- foilDefeat a plan
epee · sabre · bout · piste · feint · bladework · fleche · disengage
Formal response disputing claims
- refutationDisproving a statement
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
objection · response · disputation · dialectic · contention · persuasion · oratory · forensics
Responding strategic action
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- parryDefensive blade deflection
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
tactic · counteract · outmaneuver · neutralize · deflect · reversal · anticipate · preempt
rejoinder
Reply to a reply
comeback · wisecrack · zinger · sally · barb · clapback · put-down · snappy reply · cutting remark · bon mot
parry
Defensive blade deflection
foil · epee · sabre · bout · piste · feint · bladework · fleche · disengage · counter-attack
rebuttal
Formal response disputing claims
- refutationDisproving a statement
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- rejoinderReply to a reply
cross-examination · objection · response · disputation · dialectic · contention · persuasion · oratory · forensics · debater
countermove
Responding strategic action
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- parryDefensive blade deflection
- feintDeceptive mock attack
maneuver · tactic · counteract · outmaneuver · neutralize · deflect · reversal · anticipate · preempt · redirect
timing
Art of choosing moments
deftness · exactness · swiftness · dexterity · skill · adroitness · quickness · nimbleness · agility · calculated
- argumentsargument, arguing, disagreement, bickering, dispute
- combat actionsstab, slash, parry, block, thrust
- comedy termsjokes, puns, wit, sarcasm, irony
- counteractionscountermeasure, countermove, counterattack, counterblow, counterstrike
- game movesmove, dodge, play, pass, block
- remarksremark, comment, statement, observation, note
ripostequestion
Request for information
inquiry · challenge · query · interrogation · ask
ripostefumble
Handle with clumsy fingers
stumble · hesitation · stammer · bumble · slow response