riposte Meaning & Definition
What Does Riposte Mean?
As a noun, riposte means a fencer's quick return thrust following a parry. It can also mean a retaliatory verbal sally.
Riposte: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ri-ˈpōst/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | retort, return and rejoinder |
| Antonyms | ask, inquire and question |
| Plural | ripostes |
| First known use | 1707 |
Riposte Definition (Noun)
- a fencer's quick return thrust following a parry
- a retaliatory verbal sally : retort
His emphatic language was a riposte to allegations …
- a retaliatory maneuver or measure
His luxuriant paintings of palm trees and lumps of gold are a riposte to Soviet drabness.
Synonyms of Riposte
Riposte synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Riposte
Riposte in a Sentence
His emphatic language was a riposte to allegations …
His luxuriant paintings of palm trees and lumps of gold are a riposte to Soviet drabness.
he's known for having a brilliant riposte to nearly any insult
at cocktail parties she could riposte with lightning speed to even the most unexpected quip
Word Forms & Grammar
riposte verb
riposte
riposted
ripostes
riposting
riposte (plural ripostes)
riposte (third-person singular simple present ripostes, present participle riposting, simple past and past participle riposted)
Words That Rhyme With Riposte
Origin of Riposte
Origin 1: French, modification of Italian risposta, literally, answer, from rispondere to respond, from Latin respondēre
Origin 2: From French riposte, taken from Italian risposta, a derivative of the verb rispondere (“to respond”).
First Known Use
1707
How Do You Say Riposte?
The standard pronunciation of riposte is /ri-ˈpōst/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (pōst).
Common Questions About Riposte
What part of speech is riposte?
Riposte is a noun.
What is another word for riposte?
Close synonyms of riposte are retort, return and rejoinder. See the full list of riposte synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of riposte?
The plural of riposte is ripostes.