riposte
riposte Lexical Profile
riposte Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A quick, clever, and often sharp reply to an insult, criticism, or challenge.
"The debater delivered a witty riposte that immediately silenced her opponent."
In fencing, a quick offensive thrust made immediately after successfully parrying an opponent's lunge.
"After deflecting the initial blade attack, the fencer scored the winning point with a lightning-fast riposte."
• verb
To make a quick, clever, or sharp reply to an accusation or challenge.
"When criticized for the project delay, the director riposted that quality required patience."
To deliver a quick return thrust immediately after parrying an opponent's attack (in fencing).
"She parried the high lunge and riposted before her opponent could recover his stance."
• Rhymes for riposte
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 18th century from French riposte, from Italian risposta ('reply'), the feminine past participle of rispondere ('to respond'), ultimately from Latin respondere.