riposte or ri·post[ ri-pohst ]
noun
1. a quick, sharp return in speech or action; counterstroke: a brilliant riposte to an insult.
2. Fencing. a quick thrust given after parrying a lunge.
verb (used without object), ri·post·ed, ri·post·ing.
3. to make a riposte.
4. to reply or retaliate.
WORDS RELATED TO RIPOSTE
maneuver, repartee, return, retort, thrust, reply
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
Origin: 1700–10; < French, variant of risposte prompt answer < Italian risposta, noun use of feminine past participle of rispondere to answer < Vulgar Latin *respondere for Latin respondēre; see respond
EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR RIPOSTE
To my liberal readers who are about to riposte that it's hard to imagine a GOP being harder right--oh no it's not!
WOULD A NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE BE BETTER?|MICHAEL TOMASKY|NOVEMBER 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
U.S. intelligence expects that the North would up the ante to every American riposte.
WAR LOOMS FOR OBAMA IN IRAN, SYRIA, AND NORTH KOREA|LESLIE H. GELB|APRIL 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
There were many amusing gaffes and Julia was always ready with a riposte.
SHE TAUGHT ME TO COOK—AND CALLED ME A KLUTZ|SANDRA MCELWAINE|AUGUST 6, 2009|DAILY BEAST
She is down on it like the lightning, quick as she is in her contracted circle, politeness guarding her from a riposte.
DIANA OF THE CROSSWAYS, COMPLETE|GEORGE MEREDITH
I instantly replied by a riposte, but failed to catch him napping.
THE GREAT QUEST|CHARLES BOARDMAN HAWES
Therefore, as a general principle, riposte direct, in the line in which you have found the blade.
SECRETS OF THE SWORD|CSAR LECAT DE BAZANCOURT
No; I repeat to you, had you the best reasons to oppose to him, do not riposte, refuse the strife.
EN ROUTE|J.-K. (JORIS-KARL) HUYSMANS
“Septime enveloppe,” a riposte by means of a twist and thrust after a parry in septime.
ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA, 11TH EDITION, VOLUME 10, SLICE 5|VARIOUS
Now YOU come up with a sentence (or fic? or graphic?) that best illustrates the word.