offer a retort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "offer a retort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when responding to a comment or statement, typically in a witty or sharp manner. Example: "When he criticized her work, she was quick to offer a retort that left everyone in the room speechless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When Dr. Dean mocked Mr. Edwards's biographical assertion that he is a Washington outsider -- he has spent the past five years in the Senate, and calls Georgetown his home -- Mr. Edwards's advisers were quick to make him available to reporters to offer a retort.

The New York Times

The show's finale is a parody of Cee Lo Green's "… You" — using his original four-letter command — in which Hillary Clinton (and no doubt the subconscious of the audience) gets to offer a retort to all the electoral forces that brought the country here.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bush didn't like it: he offered a retort and then left the stage.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bernanke offered a retort to critics, saying, "We're not printing money.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama, invoking Mr. Powell, offered a retort as he met with voters in North Carolina.

The New York Times

Macron's victory offers a retort to the idea that populism is on an unstoppable global ascent.

The New Yorker

Until progressives break with Obama's rosy perceptions, they will have nothing to offer as a retort to the tea-party faux populists who are effectively monopolizing the legitimate rage over the bailouts that have spread like wildfire throughout the land.

HuffPost

As the latest of the "Powerless Structures," it will offer a mocking retort to the heroic statue of King George IV commanding the square's northeast corner.

The New York Times

Like Tony Blair, who was booed at least twice as prime minister, in a school and by the Women's Institute, and similarly denied the chance to offer a crushing retort, Gove could only goggle and seethe.

The Guardian - Opinion

To Trump, the handful of letters he's received from Kim since their June summit in Singapore offer an easy retort to reports that his high-stakes bid to persuade the regime to surrender its nuclear weapons program has stalled.

The Washington Post

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner offered a harsh retort in an interview with John Harwood of CNBC and The New York Times on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "offer a retort" when you want to convey a sense of quickness and sharpness in a response, particularly to a criticism or challenge. It suggests a more pointed reply than a simple response.

Common error

Avoid using "offer a retort" in situations that require a neutral or diplomatic response. The word "retort" implies a degree of sharpness or defensiveness that may be inappropriate in more formal or sensitive contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "offer a retort" functions as a verb phrase where "offer" is the verb, and "a retort" is the direct object. It describes the act of providing a sharp or witty response to a statement or accusation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "offer a retort" is a grammatically correct expression that describes the act of providing a quick, sharp, or witty response to a statement or argument. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is suitable for use in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure that the level of sharpness implied by "retort" is appropriate for the situation. Alternatives such as "offer a response" may be more suitable in formal contexts or where a neutral tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Offer a response

A general and neutral alternative, lacking the argumentative implication of retort.

Furnish an answer

A formal way of providing a response or reply.

Give a rejoinder

Emphasizes a formal and often written response.

Issue a rebuttal

Highlights a refutation of an argument, implying a strong disagreement.

Present a defense

Focuses on justifying or protecting a position or action.

Provide a counter-argument

Focuses on presenting an opposing viewpoint with logical reasoning.

Deliver a riposte

Implies a quick, clever, and often witty response.

Make a comeback

Suggests a return to a conversation or debate with a strong point.

Answer back

A more casual way of saying to respond, sometimes implying defiance.

Shoot back a reply

Conveys a quick and direct response, often in defense.

FAQs

How can I use "offer a retort" in a sentence?

You can use "offer a retort" when someone makes a statement or argument, and you want to emphasize the sharpness or cleverness of the response. For example, "When challenged about his policies, the politician was quick to "offer a retort" that silenced his critics".

What's a less confrontational way to say "offer a retort"?

If you want to express a response without implying a strong disagreement, consider using alternatives like "offer a response", "provide an answer", or simply "give a reply".

Which is correct, "offer a retort" or "make a retort"?

"Offer a retort" is generally more common and natural-sounding than "make a retort". Both are grammatically acceptable, but "offer a retort" is preferred in most contexts.

What is the difference between "offer a retort" and "issue a rebuttal"?

"Offer a retort" suggests a quick and often witty response to a challenge or criticism. "Issue a rebuttal"issue a rebuttal, on the other hand, typically implies a more formal and detailed refutation of an argument or claim.