retort
/rɪˈtɔrt/
verb
- To reply quickly, sharply, or wittily, especially in response to a criticism or accusation.
- When accused of being late, she retorted that the meeting had started early.
- The politician retorted to the attack by pointing out her opponent's own mistakes.
- He retorted with a clever joke that made everyone laugh.
noun
- A quick, sharp, or witty reply.
- Her retort was so sharp that it silenced the whole room.
- The debate was full of quick retorts and counterarguments.
- He had a clever retort ready for every question.
- A glass or metal container used in laboratories for heating substances and collecting the products of distillation.
- In the lab, a retort is used to separate mixtures through distillation.
- The chemist placed the liquid in a retort and heated it over a flame.
- The old-fashioned retort was made of thick glass and had a long neck.
Synonyms