Explain
Retort
Retort verb - To speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction.
Usage example: when told she couldn't have it, she retorted, “Fine, I didn't want it anyway!”
Explain and retort are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Explain" instead a verb "Retort".
Nearby Words: retorted, retorting
Common collocations
| strength | explain strength | retort strength |
Both words in one sentence
- Phillips back to explain, he gets a short retort and an earful of telephone slam.
Source: George Jetson Job Security
Cite this Source
Retort and Explain. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/retort
Explain & Retort. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/retort>.
Retort or Explain. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/retort.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain" and "retort" have occurred on timeline