Riposte

Quick meaning: Riposte is a noun meaning (fencing) A thrust given in return after parrying an attack.

Meaning

(fencing) A thrust given in return after parrying an attack.

More Meanings

1. (by extension) A counter-attack in any combat or any sport.
2. (figurative) A quick and usually witty response to a taunt.
3. An answer or reply, rapidly uttered, in response to a question or problem.
4. (fencing) To attempt to hit an opponent after parrying an attack.
5. To respond quickly; particularly if the response is humorous.

Example Sentences

Watson’s letter was a riposte to the accusation made on Tuesday by Corbyn’s campaign that he was “peddling conspiracy theories” after he said in a Guardian interview that Labour was at risk from “Trotskyist entryists”.

Some context is required. Moldova were weak at the back and blunt up front, and have failed to score in six matches stretching back to last October, with only hints at English complacency offering them glimpses of summoning a riposte.

I left him and went to a tavern by the quays where the college bucks were drinking and singing hymns. There was Giles who invited old men back to his college apartments for games. Members of the rowing club riposted, for God's sake, man, clean up your life.

[French president Emmanuel] Macron fired back [at US president Donald Trump] on Thursday with his own tart riposte, telling journalists, “This is not a show. We are talking about war and peace. ... When you want to be serious,” he continued, “you don’t say every day the opposite of what you said the day before.”

Word Forms

• ripostes
• ripost
• riposting
• riposted

Synonyms for riposte

Depending on context, synonyms include retort, return, rejoinder, rejoin, comeback, repay.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include return, comeback, retort, rejoin, repay, rejoinder.

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