riposte

or ri·post

[ ri-pohst ]

/ rɪˈpoʊst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR riposte ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a quick, sharp return in speech or action; counterstroke: a brilliant riposte to an insult.

Fencing. a quick thrust given after parrying a lunge.

verb (used without object), ri·post·ed, ri·post·ing.

to make a riposte.

to reply or retaliate.

Nearby words

ripieno, ripken, ripley, ripoff, ripon, riposte, ripped, ripper, ripping, ripple, ripple control

Origin of riposte

1700–10; < French, variant of risposte prompt answer < Italian risposta, noun use of feminine past participle of rispondere to answer < Vulgar Latin *respondere for Latin respondēre; see respond

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for riposte

To my liberal readers who are about to riposte that it's hard to imagine a GOP being harder right--oh no it's not!
Would a National Popular Vote Be Better?|Michael Tomasky|November 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
U.S. intelligence expects that the North would up the ante to every American riposte.
War Looms for Obama in Iran, Syria, and North Korea|Leslie H. Gelb|April 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
There were many amusing gaffes and Julia was always ready with a riposte.
She Taught Me to Cook—and Called Me a Klutz|Sandra McElwaine|August 6, 2009|DAILY BEAST
She is down on it like the lightning, quick as she is in her contracted circle, politeness guarding her from a riposte.
Diana of the Crossways, Complete|George Meredith

I instantly replied by a riposte, but failed to catch him napping.
The Great Quest|Charles Boardman Hawes
Therefore, as a general principle, riposte direct, in the line in which you have found the blade.
Secrets of the Sword|Csar Lecat de Bazancourt
No; I repeat to you, had you the best reasons to oppose to him, do not riposte, refuse the strife.
En Route|J.-K. (Joris-Karl) Huysmans
“Septime enveloppe,” a riposte by means of a twist and thrust after a parry in septime.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5|Various

British Dictionary definitions for riposte

riposte

ripost

/ (rɪˈpɒst, rɪˈpəʊst) /

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 for riposte

C18: from French, from Italian risposta, from rispondere to reply, respond

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012