English Dictionary
Definition of “riposte”
riposte or ripost(rɪˈpɒst
; rɪˈpəʊst)
Definitions
noun
- a swift sharp reply in speech or action
- fencing a counterattack made immediately after a successful parry
verb
- (intr) to make a riposte
Word Origin
C18: from French, from Italian risposta , from rispondere to reply, respond
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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retort,
return,
answer,
response,
reply,
sally,
comeback,
counterattack,
repartee,
rejoinder,
Usage examples
Laura glanced at Grace, expecting a cheeky riposte , but her face had suddenly gone solemn and a thoughtful frown puckered her brow.
Stewart, Michael, Grace (1989)United fans traditionally treat this taunt with the contempt it deserves -'You support a load of shit' is the standard riposte.
Spiked (2005)North Korea's riposte is that Washington is the world's biggest producer and seller of weapons of mass destruction.
New Zealand Herald (2003)But they had to work hard to stem the immediate riposte from Boavista before finally easing their way to a comfortable victory.
Sun, News of the World (2001)The riposte was not dictated solely, if indeed at all, by cynical financial considerations.
Veronica Buckley, CHRISTINA QUEEN OF SWEDEN: The Restless Life of a European Eccentric (2004)
