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

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

Word Origin and History for riposte

riposte

1707, "a quick thrust after parrying a lunge," a fencing term, from French riposte, by dissimilation from risposte (17c.), from Italian risposta "a reply," noun use of fem. past participle of rispondere "to respond," from Latin respondere (see respond). Sense of "sharp retort; quick, sharp reply," is first attested 1865. As a verb, 1851.