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Definition of retort : 1. A vessel in which substances are subjected to distillation or decomposition by heat. It is made of different forms and materials for different uses, as a bulb of glass with a curved beak to enter a receiver for general chemical operations, or a cylinder or semicylinder of cast iron for the manufacture of gas in gas works.
2. The return of, or reply to, an argument, charge, censure, incivility, taunt, or witticism; a quick and witty or severe response.
3. To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply.
4. To return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility; as, to retort the charge of vanity.
5. To throw back; to reverberate; to reflect.

Synonyms:

paying back, give back, sideboard, give, reward, take, hark back, proceeds, parry, ask, render, turn back, recall, reelect, attack, take back, requite, revert, reappearance, devolve, sound reflection, reverberation, coming back, pass, issue, restoration, repartee, generate, tabulator, getting even, return key, takings, bring back, retrovert, rejoin, replica, recurrence, yield, refund, strike back, regaining, regress, restitution, buffet, pay back, homecoming, heel counter, forgiveness, income tax return, hit back, fall, deliver, payoff, tax return, counterpunch, reproduction

justification, denial, objection, reaction, refutation, defense

armor, stronghold, countermeasure, protection, fortress, harbor, wall, resistance, moat, security, argument, aversion, barrier

reciprocate, return fire, avenge, redress, repay, counterblow, revenge, exchange, retribute, reprise, retaliate, counteract

reparation, reprisal, reciprocation, counteraction, retaliation, vengeance, retribution

fend, secure, safeguard, oppose, argue, save, protect, guard, buffer, barricade, sustain, shield, screen, ward, backfire, counterattack, police, cover, shelter, uphold, support, bar, avert, resist

justify, deny, object, react, refute, defend

response, countercharge, come back, acknowledgment, rejoinder, counter-accuse, excuse, acknowledge, replication, counter, echo, surrebuttal, expound, counterclaim, counter-accusation, counter-reply, riposte, counter-state, comeback, respond, reply, explain, return, answer, explanation, counter-statement, rebuttal, rebut

Usage examples:

• When he saw me, however, he did not wait for any retort on my part. - "The Circular Staircase", Mary Roberts Rinehart.
• He only seemed to live when he had a retort before him." - "Cynthia Wakeham's Money", Anna Katharine Green.
• But, before the old man could retort, Anton broke in. - "The Boy With the U.S. Miners", Francis Rolt-Wheeler.