Repartee

Repartee is a quick, witty, and often clever reply or retort, characterized by its sharp delivery and skillful use of language. It's a form of banter that relies on humor, intelligence, and the ability to think on one's feet. repartee can be used to deflect an insult, playfully tease, win an argument, or simply entertain. It's the art of verbal sparring, a dance of words where wit is the currency. The best repartee is often spontaneous and leaves the listener or opponent momentarily disarmed, making them think and respond with amusement, admiration, or perhaps even chagrin. This type of exchange demonstrates quick thinking and an adept ability to formulate a clever response under pressure.

Repartee meaning with examples

• During the heated debate, the politician faced a critical question about his past actions. His opponent expected him to stumble, but with perfect repartee, he responded with a self-deprecating joke that diffused the tension and shifted the audience's focus. The witty response was a clever display, silencing further questions on that topic and winning back some of the crowd.
• At the comedy show, the comedian used sharp repartee to engage the audience. Responding to a heckler's interruption, she swiftly incorporated the comment into her routine, improvising a series of hilarious observations which drew raucous laughter. The use of clever comebacks demonstrated her mastery of the craft and immediately won over the crowd.
• In a friendly argument between friends, the first friend made a snide comment. The second one, employing quick repartee, immediately parried with a humorous observation about his friend's own shortcomings, cleverly delivered with a smile and a playful tone. It immediately lightened the mood, preventing any real conflict from flaring up.
• The novelist, renowned for her sparkling repartee, was asked about her writing process during a book tour interview. She quipped, "I write drunk; I edit sober," immediately capturing the attention of the crowd and displaying her quick wit. This one-liner became a popular quote about her style.
• After being playfully criticized by her friend, she quickly fired back with excellent repartee: "It's easy to be perfect when you have nothing to do!" Her quip ended the playful disagreement, and the repartee made everyone laugh while illustrating her keen intelligence.