Synonym Chooser

How does the noun rejoinder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rejoinder are answer, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Where would answer be a reasonable alternative to rejoinder?

While in some cases nearly identical to rejoinder, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When is reply a more appropriate choice than rejoinder?

The meanings of reply and rejoinder largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When could response be used to replace rejoinder?

The words response and rejoinder can be used in similar contexts, but response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

When can retort be used instead of rejoinder?

The synonyms retort and rejoinder are sometimes interchangeable, but retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rejoinder And on top of that, the movie felt like a cruel rejoinder to anyone who’d ever believed that the once-red-hot Shyamalan could right the ship. Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024 When critics warn about Trump’s threat, the constant rejoinder is that democracy already survived four years of Trump in office. Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 This pushback and occasional calling to task not only makes for compelling reading, but serves as an apt rejoinder to those who would collapse their differences into some kind of monolithic Octoberite orthodoxy. Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile, Walz took furious notes and had pointed rejoinders ready. Philip Elliott, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rejoinder 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rejoinder
Noun
  • The agency finally posted draft rules late last year in response to a lawsuit filed by an environmental group, the Florida Springs Council.
    Greg Allen, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
  • When a balloon rises into the sky, the air inside will expand in response to the dropping atmospheric pressure and eventually pop.
    Ailsa Harvey, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • For more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on Threads and this post on Bluesky.
    David Pierce, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Leave a hint, definition, poem, etymology or musing about today’s bonus words in the replies below.
    New York Times Games, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Each of these answers is a term describing a sharp projection.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Of all the 15-letter answers in this puzzle, this is the only debut entry.
    Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near rejoinder

Cite this Entry

“Rejoinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rejoinder. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rejoinder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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