Spanish word

retrucar

Pronunciation

IPA/retɾuˈkaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbretort

Example

Cuando le critican, él siempre retruca.

When he is criticized, he always retorts.

Illustration for retrucar (retort)

More examples

Durante la reunión, él retrucó a su colega con ironía.

During the meeting, he retorted to his colleague with irony.

Core concept

A brief verbal riposte that exposes and overturns an opponent's claim.

Common phrases

  • retrucar a alguien

    retort to someone

  • retrucar con ironía

    retort with irony

  • retrucar una crítica

    retort a criticism

Similar words

replicar: Replies to someone else's remark with a direct spoken answer.
contradecir: States that another's claim is incorrect by asserting the opposite.
rebatir: Provides a reasoned refutation of an assertion using facts or logic.
objetar: Raises an objection to a proposal or opinion by pointing out concerns.

Definition in Spanish

Responder brevemente a un comentario o crítica con la intención de contradecir o dejar en evidencia al interlocutor mediante una réplica aguda.

Word origin

Derived from re- attached to trocar 'to exchange', suggesting the act of giving words back as a counterreply.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the neutral English retort, retrucar usually carries a pointed, sometimes mocking tone rather than a calm refutation, so it signals sharpness in conversation.

Other meanings

  • rebutverb
  • talk backverb

Opposites

  • callarbe silentverb
  • asentiragreeverb

Related words

  • retrucoretortnoun
  • retrucadoretortedadjective

Word lists with this word