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Swimming in warm water in the summertime. Placing the final piece of a puzzle that’s taken you months to complete. ‘Roasting’ someone online with a comeback so witty and so savage, they had to call the ‘Oh Snap’ and fire brigades. All three things have one thing in common—they’re all human experiences that make us feel gooood.

The ‘Clever Comebacks’ subreddit is one of the best places on the net to go to for awesome retorts that will forever be enshrined on the internet in online screenshots. Check out some of the most on-point and hilarious comebacks they posted ever. Remember to upvote your fave ones and we hope they’ll inspire you to show off your wit the next time someone says something dumb or has a go at you.

Bored Panda was interested to learn about what makes comebacks witty and about comedic timing, so we reached out to comedy writer and author of 'How to Live to 100,' Ariane Sherine. Read on to learn what she told us. What’s the best comeback that you’ve ever said or heard in real life, dear Readers? Do you think that the pen is mightier than the sword? Share your thoughts with all of us in the comments.

#2

Never Underestimate A Woman

Never Underestimate A Woman

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Martha Meyer
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet this same guy thinks he's qualified to talk about abortion even though he can't give birth.

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#3

“Migrants Can’t Assimilate Into Society”

“Migrants Can’t Assimilate Into Society”

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Comedy writer Ariane told Bored Panda that, in her opinion, witty comebacks can be both spontaenous and planned out. "I've definitely come up with comebacks that are spontaneous. For instance, I told my daughter that if she didn't behave, I'd give her inheritance to a donkey sanctuary. She said, 'You wouldn't', and I came back, 'You bet your ass!' But though I hadn't used that comeback before, I clearly had knowledge of the pun and might have used something similar in the past."

She also pointed out something that honestly took me by surprise: "When it comes to stand-up, a lot of heckle putdowns are scripted and shared among comics." And here I thought that heckles were all instinctive and natural. I'll have to rethink some stuff about my fave comedians now.

#5

Idk If This Has Been Posted Before, But I Love His Little Smile

Idk If This Has Been Posted Before, But I Love His Little Smile

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#6

People Really Live In Their Own Little Bubbles

People Really Live In Their Own Little Bubbles

hayashiiiii , quentquarantino Report

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I go everywhere and rarely meet any Biden supporters" BECAUSE THEY ARE OBEYING SOCIAL DISTANCE RESTRICTIONS. *headdesk to an exponent of ten*

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Dave P
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same way how in 2004 over 60% of journalists surveyed did not know a single person who voted for Bush and in 20016 over 80% did not know someone who voted for Trump. People live in bubbles regardless of political idealogy.

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IFXO
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's what Trump supporters do. GO EVERYWHERE and boast about it. Biden supporters are careful about the pandemic and stay at home low-key and make their difference in votes.

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Minecraft Nube
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How to find out who is a Biden supporter and who is not.... Biden supporter: wearing facemask, respectful Trump supporter: not wearing facemask, coughing in ppl's face.

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Mya Lugar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I am of the opinion that most people who voted for Biden did so only to block Trumps chances for an encore performance of the Clown Show. There wasn't a lot of choice!

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Claire Armstrong
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, love it! What annoys me about the situation in America right now is the way that Trump supporters, and even Trump himself, can't believe that that many people voted for Joe Biden! Just because they wouldn't vote for him, doesn't mean everyone else shares their point of view! There are, what's it up to now 80 million votes for Biden, whatever the figure is let's say 80m, there are 80m people in the US that can't believe anyone would vote for Trump, it goes both ways! But, yes, their (Trump, and Trump supporters) attitudes towards the election annoy me greatly! And that's before we even get to the part of her "going everywhere" during a bloody global pandemic, probably not wearing a mask to boot!

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Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think half of these idiot posts are made by bots or click farm employees.

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Don't Look
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I go everywhere"? Within a 15 mile radius of something or what?

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Dorothy Cloud
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I rather agree with Anna. Now you guys have someone else to pick on!

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R. Lynx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clearly no reality in this person's world. You've sunk into the other sphere Ana.....that of 'alternate facts'....a twighlight zone where you actually start to believe your own lies.

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mikedtw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you Google this 39-year old model, Ana, you'll see photos of her butt and her boobs on display, while, IMHO, her brains stay hidden.

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Luuta
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha! I love the way Trump sheep continually dig holes for themselves.

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MagicEyeMaster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love burns like this bc it shows me I'm not the only one that cares about this pandemic

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Eve Jenkins
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excuse me, please stop insulting people you do not know. Just because someone else has a different political opinion than you do does not mean that you have the right to make incorrect assumptions about them. I for one, am a Trump supporter and I do follow social distancing and masking rules set by our government and know other people with the same political affiliation as I that also do. After all, God made this world for us to live in it peacefully and with minimal conflict. And even if I did not have a political affiliation I would wear a mask to make other people more comfortable in these trying times. May God bless you and may you have a wonderful day

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That person
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you racist or homophobic? If not, then I'll be fine with you, as that is my main problem with Trump supporters

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zaskell
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3 years ago

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Making a comeback only means you act like a snippy little chihuahua with an inferiority complex. Its intention is to shut down civil discourse yet somehow you people think it makes you superior. HAHAHA.

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Gillian Rixey
Community Member
3 years ago

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OK so this post officially sucks. These are not amazing comebacks, by any stretch of the imagination. Man, I hate when good sites cave into leftist pandering. Yawn. Boring.

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Lis Daglish
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then why are you only choosing to post your umbrage at societal disease prevention? Why aren’t you rankled by the other posts on here condemning racism, political correctness, feckless leadership? Aren’t these all also ‘leftist pandering’? Or maybe actually you’re just a selfish covidiot who isn’t welcome here anyway? Reflection time in the corner Gillian....

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Sarah Mccullough
Community Member
3 years ago

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Screw off, I still work 7 days a week at lowes filled with customers, I still have to buy groceries, I still have to go to drs for my son and my pregnancy..still need eye appointments for contacts etc etc. So nice way to take what she says out of context to fit the new communist agenda!

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Lis Daglish
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, the loony trumpettes that we laugh at from afar have come up close (back up 6 feet spreader lady)

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Ariane said that the line between a regular comeback and one that makes us snort into our cups of tea is clear for everyone to see. "It needs to be very fast, well-timed, and take people by surprise as well as being clever, witty, and immediately understandable." So no pressure then!

The beauty of comedy, according to Ariane, is that (sometimes) our subconscious mind kicks in and takes us by surprise, along with the audience. "But that's relatively rare in my experience. I'm sure many other comics are more natural than I am!

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#9

Thank You Andy Wang!

Thank You Andy Wang!

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Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

cultural gatekeeping has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever seen. The best and most inclusive societies culturally appropriate all. the. time.

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The ‘Clever Comebacks’ community was founded in January 2018 and will be celebrating its 3-year anniversary very soon. In that time, they’ve amassed nearly 679k loyal members who are practicing the ancient art of the perfect comeback.

Personally, I think that comebacks are all about accurate, piercing, rapier-like wit. And the essence of wit is brevity, spontaneity, and stating the truth. It’s not a comeback if you spend an hour thinking about it and then another hour writing it out. Comebacks are the sniper rifles of the verbal battlefield. Not shotguns. Not machine guns. It’s all about one phrase—one roast.

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The BBC tends to agree with my point of view. According to Rhea Wessel, witty comebacks can’t be planned—they can only be made in the moment. And timing is everything. Even if you come up with the perfect thing you could’ve said while you’re in the shower a day later, that amazing comeback is useless now. Too little. Too late.

#12

British Museum

British Museum

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Vic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People that feel British, aren't really British. They are, in fact, Bri-ish

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That’s actually the beauty of comebacks. Sometimes, you end up just as surprised by your wit as everyone else is. It’s like, for a single beautiful moment, the Spirit of Absolute Roasting possessed you and gave you glorious guidance. 

Abigail Paul, the artistic director at the Theatre Language Studio in Frankfurt, told the BBC that we can improve our wit by giving ourselves just a bit of extra time to craft a great answer. Strangely enough, that involves becoming a better listener. We need to train ourselves to listen to others and respond appropriately, instead of tuning out and only thinking about the points we want to make in the discussion. That way, you’ll be more than ready to mount a witty defense because you won’t be caught unaware.

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#20

They Also Don't Come In Exciting Anime

They Also Don't Come In Exciting Anime

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#22

Big Footprints To Fill

Big Footprints To Fill

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#25

Elite Finish

Elite Finish

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of relationship is that. We don’t have his money or my money, it is OUR money.

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#26

Flameproofing? But My House Isn't On Fire!

Flameproofing? But My House Isn't On Fire!

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#27

Flat Earthers Make Me Happy Because I Know I'm Not A Complete Failure

Flat Earthers Make Me Happy Because I Know I'm Not A Complete Failure

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this just a joke to tease flat earthers or do flat earthers actually use the “flat” horizon as their argument? Do they not realise that we can’t see the curve because the earth is so large.

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#28

Does This Count? The Author Actually Replied Back To Me Lmao

Does This Count? The Author Actually Replied Back To Me Lmao

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Jill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could say the same thing about Stewart's Calculus book as well. (For those of you not in the know, the physics book he mentioned is one of the most popular physics 101 books used at universities.)

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#29

That Last Line Though

That Last Line Though

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Wendillon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So because the warning label on a bottle of bleach says not to drink it, are you just going to blindly follow it and not drink the bleach? What if it tastes really good??

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#31

They Did Not See This Coming

They Did Not See This Coming

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#32

Columbus Day

Columbus Day

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Truth Monster
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

End up in a random aisle and whatever you find there is now "Indian Food."

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#33

Austin Powers Would Be Proud Of That Comeback

Austin Powers Would Be Proud Of That Comeback

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#34

'im Tired Of Being Responsible For Something That Is Entirely My Resposibility.'

'im Tired Of Being Responsible For Something That Is Entirely My Resposibility.'

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#35

I Love Puns

I Love Puns

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Losferatu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's play a game: Spell the type of establishment we're eating at, and I'll buy you your meal!

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#36

Who’ll Email You When You Block Him

Who’ll Email You When You Block Him

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#37

Can't Get Any More Clever Than This

Can't Get Any More Clever Than This

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will never have the guts to send a reply like that, but by Golly, I wish I would ...

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#38

Invasive Species

Invasive Species

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#43

Depends On Who Writes The Comic

Depends On Who Writes The Comic

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#44

Boomer vs. Millenial

Boomer vs. Millenial

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#46

She Isn’t A Walking Womb

She Isn’t A Walking Womb

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F**k this molyneux d**k. He was banned from speaking here (new zealand) in 2018 I think, the brainless monstrous mosque shooter donated to his causes and his petition to be allowed to do his stupid speaking event in NZ. Then murdered the innocent souls in cold blood at one of our mosques. So that's the kind of person who supports this fuckwad. No thanks. (NB not meaning to mislead, I'm personally agnostic, but say "our mosques" just as I would say "our churches/synagogues/temples/etc". A kiwi is a kiwi. A person is a person.)

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#47

Weird Motives

Weird Motives

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wandile dludlu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if the so called "1st world" countries know that here in the 3rd world, we drive both and are required to pass your driving test using a stick shift

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#48

Especially Clever

Especially Clever

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Vikram Bedi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If everyone starts using the toilet marked “ me” then “ everyone else “ would be left clean...

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#49

Facebook Comeback

Facebook Comeback

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Helen Haley
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The waiter is providing a valuable service with very little likelihood of customer death.

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#50

Quite Funny To Be Honest

Quite Funny To Be Honest

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Katchen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WTAF. They ask teens about guns when school shootings plague the country, but are offended by the nail gun joke?

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Note: this post originally had 89 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.