2 syllables: Ri, poste. Stress on poste.
rip-OHST
/ɹɪˈpoʊst/
Riposte is pronounced rip-OHST (/ɹɪˈpoʊst/). It has two syllables (Ri-poste), with the stress on "poste". Riposte is a quick, clever counterattack or retort, often used in debates, fencing, or witty exchanges. It denotes a sharp, timely reply that answers an opponent’s move with immediate verbal or physical response. In everyday use, it can describe a witty comeback or a swift defensive reply.
nounRiposte is a quick, clever counterattack or retort, often used in debates, fencing, or witty exchanges. It denotes a sharp, timely reply that answers an opponent’s move with immediate verbal or physical response. In everyday use, it can describe a witty comeback or a swift defensive reply.
"In fencing, his riposte sent her parry off balance."
"She fired off a clever riposte to shut down the objection."
"The comedian delivered a rapid riposte that silenced the room."
Pronounce it as rɪˈpoʊst in US and rɪˈpəʊst in UK, with stress on the second syllable. The initial r is a standard alveolar approximant; the second syllable features a strong /oʊ/ (US) or /əʊ/ (UK); finally, a crisp /st/ closure. Think: “ri-POHST” with a clear, short first syllable and a longer, accented second syllable. Audio reference: Cambridge/Forvo entries align with these forms, and you’ll hear the final consonant cluster clipped for a sharp finish.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the first syllable (ri-POS-te) or spreading it across; (2) Using a short /o/ like 'rip-POST' rather than a long /oʊ/; (3) inserting an extra syllable or softening the final /st/ into /s/ or /z/. Correction: keep stress on -pose, maintain the longer /oʊ/ diphthong, and execute a clean /st/ blend without vowel intrusion. Practice with minimal pairs to fix rhythm and vowel length.
US: rɪˈpoʊst with crisp /st/ and a prominent /oʊ/. UK: rɪˈpəʊst, often a slightly schwa-like middle vowel and a back rounded /əʊ/. AU: similar to UK but with broader vowel quality and potential reduction in casual speech, sounding like /ɪ/ or /ɒ/ in rapid speech. Across all, the primary difference is the middle vowel: /oʊ/ vs /əʊ/; final /st/ generally consistent, though Australian vowels can be more centralized in fast talk.
The difficulty lies in the unstressed or lightly stressed middle vowel and the precise, quick /st/ cluster at the end. English often reduces vowels in unstressed syllables, so keeping a clear /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ while not letting the ending blend into an /ɪ/ or /z/ requires careful articulation. Also, the initial consonant cluster /r/ and the final /st/ must be crisp to avoid a slurred, muffled sound.
No, Riposte has no silent letters in standard pronunciation. The final /e/ is part of the spelling but is not silent in English; the word ends with the /st/ cluster. The key nuance is ensuring the middle vowel is properly formed and the final /t/ is not lenited into a d or t-glide. The word remains lively and crisp, reflecting its brisk meaning.
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Riposte comes from the French word répose, meaning a counter blow or reply, from the verb se poiser?; however, the modern sense evolved in fencing and rhetorical contexts. The term entered English in the 16th-17th centuries via French, retaining the sense of a quick, energetic response to an opponent’s move. Its earliest usage in fencing contexts is attested in treatises describing dueling and swordplay, where a riposte is the immediate response to an attack, often performed with speed, precision, and a pivot of the blade. Over time, riposte broadened to general rhetorical replies and witty comebacks in social situations. The word’s phonology in English settled around rɪˈpoʊst, with stress on the second syllable, echoing its French roots where the emphasis falls near the end of the word. First known English appearances align with Renaissance fencing manuals and period debates, reinforcing its association with quick, strategic replies rather than slow retorts. In contemporary usage, riposte remains common in journalism, satire, and competitive discourse, preserving its core meaning as an incisive, well-timed answer.
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Words that rhyme with "Riposte"
-ose sounds
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