# retort

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹɪˈtɔɹt/ · frequency rank #33,397

## Definitions
1. A sharp or witty reply, or one which turns an argument against its originator; a comeback.

## Etymology
From Middle English retorte, from Latin retortus, from retorquēre (“to be forced to twist back”).

## Easily confused with
- **retro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retort-vs-retro)
- **rotor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retort-vs-rotor)
- **retry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retort-vs-retry)
- **return** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retort-vs-return)
- **revolt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retort-vs-revolt)
- **revert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retort-vs-revert)
- **rotors** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retort-vs-rotors)
- **rework** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retort-vs-rework)
- **retorted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retort-vs-retorted)
- **report** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/report-vs-retort)
- **record** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/record-vs-retort)
- **reform** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reform-vs-retort)
- **resort** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/resort-vs-retort)
- **retire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retire-vs-retort)
- **repost** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/repost-vs-retort)
- **reboot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reboot-vs-retort)
- **reborn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reborn-vs-retort)
- **retard** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retard-vs-retort)
- **rector** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rector-vs-retort)
- **reports** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reports-vs-retort)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ertort`, `reotrt`, `retorrt`, `retortt`, `retotr`, `retrot`, `rettort`, `rretort`, `rteort`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/retort