What is the difference between the words “retort” and “riposte”?
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I am little bit confused with the words: Riposte and Retort. When to use which one?
Oxford says that...
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/retort
retort: Say something in answer to a remark, typically in a sharp, angry, or witty manner.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/riposte
riposte: A quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
I don't understand whether:
1. retort means to snap back or riposte mean to snap back?
2. retort means to give witty reply or riposte means to give witty reply.
Please help and distinguish these two words.
Thank you in advance!
word-usage difference-in-meaning
edited Apr 6 at 23:10
TrevorD
10.7k22558
asked Apr 6 at 21:26
GustobgGustobg
334
|
show 2 more comments
I am little bit confused with the words: Riposte and Retort. When to use which one?
Oxford says that...
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/retort
retort: Say something in answer to a remark, typically in a sharp, angry, or witty manner.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/riposte
riposte: A quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
I don't understand whether:
1. retort means to snap back or riposte mean to snap back?
2. retort means to give witty reply or riposte means to give witty reply.
Please help and distinguish these two words.
Thank you in advance!
word-usage difference-in-meaning
edited Apr 6 at 23:10
TrevorD
10.7k22558
asked Apr 6 at 21:26
GustobgGustobg
334
One difference (beyond the obvious ones in the above definitions) is that "riposte" is relatively new in popularity (I only first heard it maybe 10 years ago), while "retort" is ancient (and steadily losing popularity over the past 100 years). (Of course, "retort" can refer to a sort of device used in industry, so it gets a bit confused.) google.com/…
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:37
@HotLicks so both are synonymous?
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 21:39
4
Do note that an "angry retort" is fairly likely. Eg, "You're an idiot!!" Not at all "clever". While a riposte is necessarily clever, and necessarily a reply to an insult/criticism.
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:42
Are the 'definitions' that you've quoted, your own definitions or from a dictionary? If the latter, please specify - and preferably provide links to - the respective dictionaries. I'm suggesting this because someone has already voted to close your question for lack of research.
– TrevorD
Apr 6 at 22:56
@TrevorD yes they are from dictionary
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 22:59
|
show 2 more comments
I am little bit confused with the words: Riposte and Retort. When to use which one?
Oxford says that...
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/retort
retort: Say something in answer to a remark, typically in a sharp, angry, or witty manner.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/riposte
riposte: A quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
I don't understand whether:
1. retort means to snap back or riposte mean to snap back?
2. retort means to give witty reply or riposte means to give witty reply.
Please help and distinguish these two words.
Thank you in advance!
word-usage difference-in-meaning
edited Apr 6 at 23:10
TrevorD
10.7k22558
asked Apr 6 at 21:26
GustobgGustobg
334
I am little bit confused with the words: Riposte and Retort. When to use which one?
Oxford says that...
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/retort
retort: Say something in answer to a remark, typically in a sharp, angry, or witty manner.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/riposte
riposte: A quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
I don't understand whether:
1. retort means to snap back or riposte mean to snap back?
2. retort means to give witty reply or riposte means to give witty reply.
Please help and distinguish these two words.
Thank you in advance!
word-usage difference-in-meaning
word-usage difference-in-meaning
edited Apr 6 at 23:10
TrevorD
10.7k22558
asked Apr 6 at 21:26
GustobgGustobg
334
edited Apr 6 at 23:10
TrevorD
10.7k22558
asked Apr 6 at 21:26
GustobgGustobg
334
edited Apr 6 at 23:10
TrevorD
10.7k22558
edited Apr 6 at 23:10
TrevorD
10.7k22558
edited Apr 6 at 23:10
TrevorD
10.7k22558
10.7k22558
asked Apr 6 at 21:26
GustobgGustobg
334
asked Apr 6 at 21:26
GustobgGustobg
334
asked Apr 6 at 21:26
GustobgGustobg
334
334
One difference (beyond the obvious ones in the above definitions) is that "riposte" is relatively new in popularity (I only first heard it maybe 10 years ago), while "retort" is ancient (and steadily losing popularity over the past 100 years). (Of course, "retort" can refer to a sort of device used in industry, so it gets a bit confused.) google.com/…
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:37
@HotLicks so both are synonymous?
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 21:39
4
Do note that an "angry retort" is fairly likely. Eg, "You're an idiot!!" Not at all "clever". While a riposte is necessarily clever, and necessarily a reply to an insult/criticism.
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:42
Are the 'definitions' that you've quoted, your own definitions or from a dictionary? If the latter, please specify - and preferably provide links to - the respective dictionaries. I'm suggesting this because someone has already voted to close your question for lack of research.
– TrevorD
Apr 6 at 22:56
@TrevorD yes they are from dictionary
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 22:59
|
show 2 more comments
One difference (beyond the obvious ones in the above definitions) is that "riposte" is relatively new in popularity (I only first heard it maybe 10 years ago), while "retort" is ancient (and steadily losing popularity over the past 100 years). (Of course, "retort" can refer to a sort of device used in industry, so it gets a bit confused.) google.com/…
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:37
@HotLicks so both are synonymous?
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 21:39
4
Do note that an "angry retort" is fairly likely. Eg, "You're an idiot!!" Not at all "clever". While a riposte is necessarily clever, and necessarily a reply to an insult/criticism.
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:42
Are the 'definitions' that you've quoted, your own definitions or from a dictionary? If the latter, please specify - and preferably provide links to - the respective dictionaries. I'm suggesting this because someone has already voted to close your question for lack of research.
– TrevorD
Apr 6 at 22:56
@TrevorD yes they are from dictionary
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 22:59
One difference (beyond the obvious ones in the above definitions) is that "riposte" is relatively new in popularity (I only first heard it maybe 10 years ago), while "retort" is ancient (and steadily losing popularity over the past 100 years). (Of course, "retort" can refer to a sort of device used in industry, so it gets a bit confused.) google.com/…
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:37
One difference (beyond the obvious ones in the above definitions) is that "riposte" is relatively new in popularity (I only first heard it maybe 10 years ago), while "retort" is ancient (and steadily losing popularity over the past 100 years). (Of course, "retort" can refer to a sort of device used in industry, so it gets a bit confused.) google.com/…
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:37
@HotLicks so both are synonymous?
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 21:39
@HotLicks so both are synonymous?
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 21:39
4
4
Do note that an "angry retort" is fairly likely. Eg, "You're an idiot!!" Not at all "clever". While a riposte is necessarily clever, and necessarily a reply to an insult/criticism.
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:42
Do note that an "angry retort" is fairly likely. Eg, "You're an idiot!!" Not at all "clever". While a riposte is necessarily clever, and necessarily a reply to an insult/criticism.
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:42
Are the 'definitions' that you've quoted, your own definitions or from a dictionary? If the latter, please specify - and preferably provide links to - the respective dictionaries. I'm suggesting this because someone has already voted to close your question for lack of research.
– TrevorD
Apr 6 at 22:56
Are the 'definitions' that you've quoted, your own definitions or from a dictionary? If the latter, please specify - and preferably provide links to - the respective dictionaries. I'm suggesting this because someone has already voted to close your question for lack of research.
– TrevorD
Apr 6 at 22:56
@TrevorD yes they are from dictionary
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 22:59
@TrevorD yes they are from dictionary
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 22:59
|
show 2 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Riposte is a noun; retort is both a noun and a verb. Maybe only consider using riposte when a noun is indicated and leave retort for the verbs.
answered Apr 11 at 19:17
Cass LopezCass Lopez
322
add a comment |
The two words are used pretty much interchangeably, but it's worth noting that riposte is also a term used in fencing, so it may carry that additional nuance of a counterattack in combat.
riposte n
1. Sports A quick thrust given after parrying an opponent's lunge in fencing.
TFD Online
answered Apr 7 at 1:37
RobustoRobusto
130k30309524
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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votes
Riposte is a noun; retort is both a noun and a verb. Maybe only consider using riposte when a noun is indicated and leave retort for the verbs.
answered Apr 11 at 19:17
Cass LopezCass Lopez
322
add a comment |
Riposte is a noun; retort is both a noun and a verb. Maybe only consider using riposte when a noun is indicated and leave retort for the verbs.
answered Apr 11 at 19:17
Cass LopezCass Lopez
322
add a comment |
Riposte is a noun; retort is both a noun and a verb. Maybe only consider using riposte when a noun is indicated and leave retort for the verbs.
answered Apr 11 at 19:17
Cass LopezCass Lopez
322
Riposte is a noun; retort is both a noun and a verb. Maybe only consider using riposte when a noun is indicated and leave retort for the verbs.
answered Apr 11 at 19:17
Cass LopezCass Lopez
322
answered Apr 11 at 19:17
Cass LopezCass Lopez
322
answered Apr 11 at 19:17
Cass LopezCass Lopez
322
answered Apr 11 at 19:17
Cass LopezCass Lopez
322
322
add a comment |
add a comment |
The two words are used pretty much interchangeably, but it's worth noting that riposte is also a term used in fencing, so it may carry that additional nuance of a counterattack in combat.
riposte n
1. Sports A quick thrust given after parrying an opponent's lunge in fencing.
TFD Online
answered Apr 7 at 1:37
RobustoRobusto
130k30309524
add a comment |
The two words are used pretty much interchangeably, but it's worth noting that riposte is also a term used in fencing, so it may carry that additional nuance of a counterattack in combat.
riposte n
1. Sports A quick thrust given after parrying an opponent's lunge in fencing.
TFD Online
answered Apr 7 at 1:37
RobustoRobusto
130k30309524
add a comment |
The two words are used pretty much interchangeably, but it's worth noting that riposte is also a term used in fencing, so it may carry that additional nuance of a counterattack in combat.
riposte n
1. Sports A quick thrust given after parrying an opponent's lunge in fencing.
TFD Online
answered Apr 7 at 1:37
RobustoRobusto
130k30309524
The two words are used pretty much interchangeably, but it's worth noting that riposte is also a term used in fencing, so it may carry that additional nuance of a counterattack in combat.
riposte n
1. Sports A quick thrust given after parrying an opponent's lunge in fencing.
TFD Online
answered Apr 7 at 1:37
RobustoRobusto
130k30309524
answered Apr 7 at 1:37
RobustoRobusto
130k30309524
answered Apr 7 at 1:37
RobustoRobusto
130k30309524
answered Apr 7 at 1:37
RobustoRobusto
130k30309524
130k30309524
add a comment |
add a comment |
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One difference (beyond the obvious ones in the above definitions) is that "riposte" is relatively new in popularity (I only first heard it maybe 10 years ago), while "retort" is ancient (and steadily losing popularity over the past 100 years). (Of course, "retort" can refer to a sort of device used in industry, so it gets a bit confused.) google.com/…
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:37
@HotLicks so both are synonymous?
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 21:39
4
Do note that an "angry retort" is fairly likely. Eg, "You're an idiot!!" Not at all "clever". While a riposte is necessarily clever, and necessarily a reply to an insult/criticism.
– Hot Licks
Apr 6 at 21:42
Are the 'definitions' that you've quoted, your own definitions or from a dictionary? If the latter, please specify - and preferably provide links to - the respective dictionaries. I'm suggesting this because someone has already voted to close your question for lack of research.
– TrevorD
Apr 6 at 22:56
@TrevorD yes they are from dictionary
– Gustobg
Apr 6 at 22:59