Rejoinder

Rejoinder

rəˈjoindər

Noun

  • A reply, especially a sharp or witty one.
  • (Law, dated) A defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s reply or replication.

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Example Sentences

“I always think up the perfect rejoinder hours later when I’m in bed.”

“The court fell silent, waiting for the defendant’s rejoinder.”

“Lynda rehearsed a rejoinder for every possible outcome to her request.”

Word Origin

French, mid-15th century

Why this word?

Do you find yourself often coming up with the perfect snappy comeback, hours after an encounter took place? According to the BBC, one of the ways to craft a witty rejoinder is to work on your listening skills. Listening carefully to conversations — as well as taking advantage of humans’ ability to think faster than they speak — will make it easier to quickly form a well-timed, clever reply the next time your friend pokes some fun at you. “Rejoinder” is a Middle English word that originally came from the Anglo-Norman French word “rejoindre” (“to reunite something again”).

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Learn a new word Skeuomorph

ˈskyo͞oəˌmôrf