ripostes
Sharp verbal returns
Ripostes are quick, sharp responses—verbal counterattacks that parry criticism or wit with equal cleverness: Her ripostes left the interviewer speechless.
The term comes from fencing, where a riposte is a thrust made immediately after deflecting an opponent's blade.
The singular riposte works as both noun and verb: He riposted with a cutting remark.
Defensive blade deflection
- counterFlat service surface
- thrustForceful forward motion
- lungeSudden forward movement
- feintDeceptive mock attack
touché · epee · foil · sabre · bladework · disengage · reprise · redouble
Reply to a reply
- comebackRecovery after decline
- quipBrief, clever remark
- sallySudden outward attack
- zingerPointed witty remark
wisecrack · one-liner · clapback · crack · banter · snappy comeback · put-down · barb
Formal response disputing claims
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- refutationDisproving a statement
- counterFlat service surface
- responseAnswer to stimulus
reply · answer · objection · challenge · contention · disputation · cross-examination · retribution
parry
Defensive blade deflection
feint · touché · epee · foil · sabre · bladework · disengage · reprise · redouble · bind
rejoinder
Reply to a reply
zinger · wisecrack · one-liner · clapback · crack · banter · snappy comeback · put-down · barb · jab
rebuttal
Formal response disputing claims
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- refutationDisproving a statement
- counterFlat service surface
response · reply · answer · objection · challenge · contention · disputation · cross-examination · retribution · countercharge
clever
Showing mental quickness
pointed · trenchant · sardonic · sarcasm · irony · wordplay · droll · acerbic · piquant · mordant
- comedycomedy, jokes, humor, puns, sarcasm
- witticismsquips, witticisms, witticism, bon mots, bon mot
- expressionsexpression, I love you, phrase, idioms, thank you
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
ripostesspeechlessness
Inability to speak
silences · acquiescence · muteness · concessions · capitulations
ripostessilence
Total lack of sound
muteness · withdrawal · disengagement · ignoring · suffering in silence