answer vs retort

answer and retort both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
answer	Yes	No	Yes	No
retort	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, retort is a hyponym of answer; that is, retort is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than answer:

Other hyponyms of answer include call back, counter, field, sass, come back, rejoin, repay, return, riposte, bridle.

answer (noun)	retort (noun)
a nonverbal reaction	a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
the speech act of replying to a question	a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims

answer (verb)	retort (verb)
give the correct answer or solution to	answer back
respond to a signal
understand the meaning of
react to a stimulus or command
react verbally
give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
match or correspond
be liable or accountable
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity