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Synonyms
re·tort1 (rĭ-tôrt́)

[Latin retorquēre, retort-, to bend back, retort, re-, re-, + torquēre, to bend, twist.]

verb: -tort·ed, -tort·ing, -torts. 

transitive verb 

    1. To reply, especially to answer in a quick, caustic, or witty manner. See synonyms at answer
    2. To present a counterargument to.
  2. To return in kind; pay back.

intransitive verb 

  1. To make a reply, especially a quick, caustic, or witty one.
  2. To present a counterargument.
  3. To return like for like; retaliate.

noun 

  1. A quick incisive reply, especially one that turns the first speaker's words to his or her own disadvantage.
  2. The act or an instance of retorting.

derivatives

re·tort́er
noun
re·tort2 (rĭ-tôrt́, rḗtôrt́)

[French retorte, from Medieval Latin retorta, from feminine of Latin retortus past participle of retorquēre, to bend back; see retort1.]

noun 

A closed laboratory vessel with an outlet tube, used for distillation, sublimation, or decomposition by heat.