retort

• Réponse vive, cinglante ou pleine d'esprit faite à une remarque ou à une accusation, souvent pour se défendre ou répliquer avec ironie ou colère. Peut aussi désigner une parole brève et incisive en réaction à une critique.

A noun referring to a sharp, witty, or angry reply made in response to a comment or accusation.

1. Sharp replyB2formal

   A quick, witty, or angry reply to a comment or question.

   Réplique cinglante

   • She gave a sharp retort to his criticism.
   • His retort left everyone in the room speechless.
   • The politician's retort was both clever and cutting.

   Synonymesanswercomebackcounterquiprejoinderreparteereplyresponseripostewitticism

2. Laboratory vesselC1formalscientific

   A glass container with a long neck, used for distilling or heating substances in a laboratory.

   Cornue

   • The chemist heated the liquid in a retort.
   • The retort was used to separate the mixture.
   • He carefully poured the solution into the retort.

   Synonymesalembic

• Verbe désignant l'action de répondre de manière vive, cinglante ou spirituelle, notamment pour répliquer à une accusation ou à une critique.

A verb used to indicate the act of making a sharp, witty, or angry reply, especially in response to an accusation or criticism.

1. Reply sharplyB2formal

   To reply quickly and sharply, often in a witty or angry manner.

   répliquer vertement

   • When accused of lying, she retorted, 'That's not true!'
   • He retorted with a sarcastic comment about her suggestion.
   • The politician retorted to the criticism with a clever comeback.

   Synonymescome backcounterrejoinreturnripostesnap