A rejoinderA reply, especially a quick or witty one is usually a quick reply, often one that is sharp, clever, or critical. In legalRelated to law or court proceedings writing, it can also mean a formal response made by a defendantThe person accused or sued in a case.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /rɪˈdʒɔɪndər/
Easy pronunciation: rih-JOIN-der (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: JOIN.
Use this for the noun meaning a quick reply, especially a witty or critical one.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Rejoinder Meaning
a quick response, often a sharp one
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a quick reply to a question or remark, especially one that is witty or critical
Example: It brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- retort — A sharp reply; works well for the main everyday sense.
- riposte — A quick, clever reply; slightly more formal or literary.
- comeback — An informal quick reply, often witty or sharp.
- counter — A reply that opposes a statement; less exact than retort.
- return — Can mean a reply, but is broader and less common in modern use.
- replication — A response or answer, but it is more formal and less natural in everyday speech.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Rejoinder
Meaning 2
a legal reply in a court case
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a formal pleading by a defendant in response to the plaintiff's replication
Example: The defendant filed a rejoinder in court.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Rejoinder Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- retort
- riposte
- comeback
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use rejoinder to mean any answer, but it usually suggests a quick or pointed reply.
- Do not confuse the everyday meaning with the legal meaning in court documents.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does rejoinder mean?
Rejoinder usually means a quick reply, especially one that is sharp, witty, or critical. In law, it can also mean a formal response in a case.
What is a synonym for rejoinder?
Good synonyms for the common sense include retort, riposte, and comeback.
Is rejoinder a formal word?
It can be. The everyday sense is fairly formal or literary, while the legal sense is technical.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.