riposte

or ri·post

[ ri-pohst ]

See synonyms for: riposte riposted riposting 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.

Origin of riposte

First recorded in 1700–10; from French, variant of risposte “prompt answer,” from Italian risposta, noun use of feminine past participle of rispondere “to answer,” from Vulgar Latin respondere (unrecorded) for Latin respondēre; see respond

Words Nearby riposte

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use riposte in a sentence

Piquette is wine’s riposte to hard seltzer — a light, low-alcohol wine made by refermenting grape skins that would normally go to compost or be thrown away.
This $14 South African red wine will bring summertime chill to your glass | Dave McIntyre | July 9, 2021 | Washington Post
While Origin won’t be a direct riposte to curbs on audience identifiers like third-party cookies when it does launch, it could eventually become one.
Advertisers’ protracted pursuit of cross-media measurement is gathering pace. | Seb Joseph | May 17, 2021 | Digiday
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 | THE 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 | THE DAILY BEAST
His comments, sincere in their disappointment, remind me of my new favorite riposte of all time.
Obama's No Gangster, Bachmann | Matt Latimer | March 7, 2011 | THE 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 | THE DAILY BEAST
Wife Barbara padded around behind him, ever ready with a witty riposte to any and all.
Aboard the Bush Plane | Mark McKinnon | January 20, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
His opponent with a desperate promptitude parried and riposted; the parry only just succeeded, the riposte failed.
The Ball and The Cross | G.K. Chesterton
But he revealed a natural and disconcerting skill at verbal riposte which made him respected, if not feared by his opponents.
Port O' Gold | Louis John Stellman
Try again your feint flanconnade Dupr, Mademoiselle Louise; only be prepared this time for a subtle riposte!
Moscow | Fred Whishaw
When my foil had been hit up into the air about three times in succession to the triumphant riposte!
Fanny Goes to War | Pat Beauchamp
But Heywood, by some desperate sleight, had parried the certainty, and even tried a riposte.
Dragon's blood | Henry Milner Rideout

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

Origin of 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

Browse