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Stepping up gives you one sense of accomplishment, but one-upping someone who’s clearly wrong is a whole other achievement. So this post is dedicated to those who didn’t stay silent when hearing false statements, fake news, or faulty arguments, but decided to cut the BS and do everyone a public service.

Thanks to the r/CleverComebacks subreddit, a community with 830k members that’s constantly growing, we have laid out some of the most razor-sharp comebacks. Scroll down, upvote the sharpest comebacks and be sure to check out our previous post on witty comebacks.

We also spoke to Abigail Paul, an actress, standup comedian and improviser who has given seminars on incorporating theatre techniques for purposes beyond the stage to schools, businesses and organizations all over Germany since 2001. Abigail told us how to improve our comeback skills, starting from learning to be better listeners. Tune in for the interview below!

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If You Don't Want To Get Tested, Don't Apply

If You Don't Want To Get Tested, Don't Apply

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Morning Coffee vs. Morning People

Morning Coffee vs. Morning People

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#3

"Markets Unable To Adapt To New Generation Of Consumers"

"Markets Unable To Adapt To New Generation Of Consumers"

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Abigail is now busy launching a new organization for comedy and shows in Frankfurt called “English Comedy Frankfurt,” so be sure to follow her work on Twitter.

“The secret to any comeback is connection,” she said and continued: “If you are really listening (and connecting) with another person, you are taking them in fully, aware of who they are, the context in which you are dealing with this person.”

Abigail believes that we tend do this assessment unconsciously. “We aren't even always aware that we are always sizing up other people. This is too often because we are so focused on ourselves.”

#4

Kid Has A Bright And Shocking Future In Front Of Him

Kid Has A Bright And Shocking Future In Front Of Him

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#5

Meirl

Meirl

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#6

Bill Bur Is A Legend

Bill Bur Is A Legend

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“I teach the rules and principles of improvisation. We credit the improv guru Keith Johnstone with the term 'status' exercises and games, which helps us see things like status moves, and how to make a character in a scene have a higher or lower status. By working on this skill in a theatrical way, you also start to notice status 'wars' happening in real life. On the stage, it usually has the end effect of being comedic. In real life, it can go either way.”

#7

Some Good Luck!

Some Good Luck!

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#8

Who Orders Small Coffee Anyway?

Who Orders Small Coffee Anyway?

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#9

Cry Me A River That Flows 5 M/S²

Cry Me A River That Flows 5 M/S²

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Abigail argues that a great comeback feels great because it was earned. “It was spontaneous. The commenter was probably really listening. It was unique to that moment, set of people, situation,” she explained.

When asked how to make sure that your comeback doesn't sound mean, Abigail warns that “a comeback is not a clapback—which is generally sarcastic, but a clapback might be fun among friends.” Moreover, “Context of situation always matters. In working on status exercises in improv, we try to get people to see that the easiest way to raise another person's status is to lower their own. We see that in standup comedy too. Usually it works best if the comic is the butt of the joke, not the audience. (There are plenty of exceptions.)”

#10

Stealing The Rainbow

Stealing The Rainbow

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#11

I Choose You, Bunny!!!!

I Choose You, Bunny!!!!

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#12

Education Is Vitally Important, After All

Education Is Vitally Important, After All

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According to Abigail, “You needn't be too self-effacing for a good comeback, but if it can lift other people up, it usually works well and gains the speaker a laugh and cements the bond that says, we are in this together.”

Comebacks can be a useful communication tool, but Abigail argues that excellent listening skills are the most important thing. “Paying attention, making accurate observations about the people in the room, and how they feel—these are the tools that will make a comeback really shine,” she said.

#13

Other People’s Kids Is A Surprisingly Great Form Of Birth Control

Other People’s Kids Is A Surprisingly Great Form Of Birth Control

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#14

So Easy To Say

So Easy To Say

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They're With Him, Alright...

They're With Him, Alright...

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And when it comes to getting better at listening, Abigail shared a fun game to exercise. “Have a chat with someone, but you have to start your response with the last letter of what the person has just said to you,” she said and added: “For example, if person 1 says 'what was the best part of your day'—the response must start with Y from the word day.”

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“It might make for odd conversations at first, but it also forces you to really listen to the complete end of the person's sentence before you add in your own thoughts,” she concluded.

#16

Climate Change Is Not Real Guys!!!

Climate Change Is Not Real Guys!!!

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#17

That Makes Sense

That Makes Sense

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#18

Careful What You Say

Careful What You Say

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#19

Better Hope His House Doesn't Catch On Fire!

Better Hope His House Doesn't Catch On Fire!

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#20

He Makes A Good Point

He Makes A Good Point

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#21

She Got Played By Her Own Words

She Got Played By Her Own Words

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#22

Unlimited Power

Unlimited Power

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#23

This Is Genius

This Is Genius

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#24

If You’ve Read The Bible? Name 10 Plagues

If You’ve Read The Bible? Name 10 Plagues

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Fishing For A Burn

Fishing For A Burn

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A Newer, Healthier Brain

A Newer, Healthier Brain

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Repeat After Me...

Repeat After Me...

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They Don't Even Bother Hiding The Fact That The Gop Is Bought And Paid For Anymore

They Don't Even Bother Hiding The Fact That The Gop Is Bought And Paid For Anymore

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He Got Cremated By A Fish

He Got Cremated By A Fish

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#30

Time Is Relative... And Mine Ain't Rich

Time Is Relative... And Mine Ain't Rich

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On Insta From An Lgbtq Post From Reddit

On Insta From An Lgbtq Post From Reddit

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Imagine Losing At Your Own Game

Imagine Losing At Your Own Game

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Liking-Old-Pic-Shaming Back Fired...

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A Lot To Unpack Here

A Lot To Unpack Here

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No Lies Were Told

No Lies Were Told

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Great Observation, People Who Make A Lot Of Money Don't See The Problem

Great Observation, People Who Make A Lot Of Money Don't See The Problem

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#37

What’s The Point!?

What’s The Point!?

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Waterproof Your Valuables

Waterproof Your Valuables

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Not Really Sure If This Belongs Here But Still

Not Really Sure If This Belongs Here But Still

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#40

What An Absolute Chad

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