This word is having a specific meaning in the sporting even of fencing – here it means, a fencer’s quick return thrust following a parry /rounterattack made after successfully fending off one’s opponent.
In general, we can use this term as a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism
Words having similar meaning
Repartee Conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies / Adroitness (means – cleverness) in reply
Rejoineder Quick reply that is often sharp or witty. It can be a a neutral and straight answer also. In legal parlance, it is defensants answer to plantiff’s replication
Retort To reply to, usually in a sharp or retaliatory way
In short – all these words are having similar meaning and are often used as synonyms also. It is always advised to use apt word suiting the occasion which comes with practice.
Example
He’s known for having a brilliant ripost to nearly any insult
On Monday, Beijing fired back, slapping its own sanctions on 11 U.S. lawmakers and nongovernmental organization leaders as a symbolic ripost (Penned by Shashi Tharoor’s son Ishaan Tharoor in Washington Post)