riposte

or ri·post

[ ri-pohst ]
See synonyms for: riposteripostedriposting on Thesaurus.com

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

  2. Fencing. a quick thrust given after parrying a lunge.

verb (used without object),ri·post·ed, ri·post·ing.
  1. to make a riposte.

  2. to reply or retaliate.

Origin of riposte

1
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. 2024

How to use riposte in a sentence

  • There were many amusing gaffes and Julia was always ready with a riposte.

  • 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
  1. a swift sharp reply in speech or action

  2. fencing a counterattack made immediately after a successful parry

verb
  1. (intr) to make a riposte

Origin of riposte

1
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