Riposte
noun
A quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
Her sharp riposte silenced her critic.
Often appears as...
- quick riposte
- sharp riposte
noun
In fencing, a quick return thrust following a parry.
The fencer's riposte hit the target, winning the bout.
Often appears as...
- fencing riposte
- successful riposte
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To make a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
She riposted his criticism with a sharp comment.
Often appears as...
- riposte quickly
- riposte sharply
verb
In fencing, to make a quick return thrust following a parry.
She riposted her opponent's attack with a quick thrust.
Often appears as...
- riposte successfully
- riposte quickly
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
Her sharp riposte silenced her critic.
Often appears as...
- quick riposte
- sharp riposte
noun
In fencing, a quick return thrust following a parry.
The fencer's riposte hit the target, winning the bout.
Often appears as...
- fencing riposte
- successful riposte
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To make a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
She riposted his criticism with a sharp comment.
Often appears as...
- riposte quickly
- riposte sharply
verb
In fencing, to make a quick return thrust following a parry.
She riposted her opponent's attack with a quick thrust.
Often appears as...
- riposte successfully
- riposte quickly
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Conversational Use
Best used in casual or informal discussions rather than formal writing.
His joke deserved a funny riposte, so I delivered.
Pro Tip 2/3Timing Matters
A riposte should be immediate and spontaneous, showing quick wit.
When insulted, her riposte was immediate and humorous.
Pro Tip 3/3Tone of Voice
The effectiveness often depends on a confident and sometimes sarcastic tone.
He gave a sarcastic riposte to the absurd remark.
Pro Tip 1/3Conversational Use
Best used in casual or informal discussions rather than formal writing.
His joke deserved a funny riposte, so I delivered.
Pro Tip 2/3Timing Matters
A riposte should be immediate and spontaneous, showing quick wit.
When insulted, her riposte was immediate and humorous.
Pro Tip 3/3Tone of Voice
The effectiveness often depends on a confident and sometimes sarcastic tone.
He gave a sarcastic riposte to the absurd remark.
Pro Tip 1/3Conversational Use
Best used in casual or informal discussions rather than formal writing.
His joke deserved a funny riposte, so I delivered.
Pro Tip 2/3Timing Matters
A riposte should be immediate and spontaneous, showing quick wit.
When insulted, her riposte was immediate and humorous.
Pro Tip 3/3Tone of Voice
The effectiveness often depends on a confident and sometimes sarcastic tone.
He gave a sarcastic riposte to the absurd remark.
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Quote examples
Dominic Holland
English Comedian
I got heckled by a woman, and my riposte fixed upon her unfortunate hair texture, only for her to remove her wig and reveal to the room the horrors of chemotherapy.
Quote examples
Meryl Streep
American Actress
Nobody can swashbuckle a quick-witted riposte like Emma Thompson. She's a writer, a real writer, and she has a relish for the well-chosen word.
Quote examples
Mal Peet
English Author
I didn't consciously make the decision to write an adult novel. I didn't think of it as my riposte to the YA genre.
Quote examples
Dominic Holland
English Comedian
I got heckled by a woman, and my riposte fixed upon her unfortunate hair texture, only for her to remove her wig and reveal to the room the horrors of chemotherapy.
Quote examples
Meryl Streep
American Actress
Nobody can swashbuckle a quick-witted riposte like Emma Thompson. She's a writer, a real writer, and she has a relish for the well-chosen word.
Quote examples
Mal Peet
English Author
I didn't consciously make the decision to write an adult novel. I didn't think of it as my riposte to the YA genre.
Example 1 of 3
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