37 People Asked The Internet For Savage Comebacks, And These Replies Did Not Disappoint

For many people, a verbal insult can be so damaging that they either fold or remain silent. According to Brooklyn-based psychologist Kerry McBroome, it is a normal response because our nervous system gets activated. 

“The parts of the brain that are responsible for coming up with clever or witty things to say are just not online—they’re nervous and sensing a threat,” she told Time Magazine in a 2024 interview.

But insults don’t always come off that way. As developmental clinical psychologist and University of Massachusetts Amherst Professor Emerita, Susan Krauss Whitbourne points out, people can sometimes disguise their digs, which can leave you baffled for a good while.

"The insult wrapped within a compliment, for example, places you in the position of wondering whether to respond to the implicit derogation or the explicit expression of praise,” Whitebourne wrote. 

In such instances, Whitebourne advises asking for an explanation to let the person know that you’ve noticed an implicit insult and do not appreciate it.

So, what is the best way to deliver an off-the-cuff clapback? Licensed clinical professional counselor Dr. Ajita Robinson shared a few straightforward tips. One of them is to simply tell the person that you’re not accepting unsolicited feedback. 

As she noted, these work well in situations like family dinners, where a relative may make comments about your pants size, reproductive choices, or dating situation. 

Another way to respond would be a simple “Are you okay?” As licensed therapist Melanie Williams states, there is so much packed in such a short comeback. You can also follow that up with, “Just checking, because that was completely inappropriate.”