rejoinder

[ ri-join-der ]

noun

1. an answer to a reply; response.

   Synonyms: riposte, reply

2. Law. a defendant's answer to a plaintiff's replication.

rejoinder

/ rɪˈdʒɔɪndə /

noun

1. a reply or response to a question or remark, esp a quick witty one; retort
2. law (in pleading) the answer made by a defendant to the claimant's reply

Other Words From

• nonre·joinder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rejoinder¹

1475–85; < Middle French rejoindre (noun use of infinitive); rejoin ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of rejoinder¹

C15: from Old French rejoindre to rejoin ²

Synonym Study

See answer.

Example Sentences

Recall, from 1988, Dan Quayle and the infamous “You’re no Jack Kennedy” rejoinder, which Democrat Lloyd Bentsen leveled after the youthful Quayle compared himself to the youthful president.

From Los Angeles Times

Quayle’s stricken look — a rictus of shock and humiliation — spoke to the devastation of the rejoinder after which, it’s fair to say, his callow image never fully faded.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris’ rejoinder was to provide a still life in American women, post-Dobbs—a snapshot of the people whose lives have been disrupted and decimated by the former president and his handpicked Supreme Court justices who genuinely never cared about their dignity or autonomy:

From Slate

Last week’s Democratic National Committee rejoinder was that we will not only keep our republic, we’ll eventually fulfill its promise.

From Salon

This was a clear, joyful and direct rejoinder to the darkness and cruelty that drives the Republicans and their nominees.

From Salon

Related Words

• rebuttal
• repartee
• retort