answer 1 of 2

noun

ˈan(t)-sər How to pronounce answer (audio)
Definition of answernext
1
as in response
something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question the standard answer of "Fine, thank you" when asked, "How are you?"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in result
something attained by mental effort and especially by computation the answers to the odd-numbered problems are at the back of the book

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in reaction
action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior a cold stare was her withering answer to that gratuitous insult

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

answer

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to respond
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction didn't answer right away when the detective asked him where he'd been for the last three hours

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to correspond
to be in agreement on every point sorry, I haven't seen anyone answering to that description

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fulfil
to do what is required by the terms of I don't have a box cutter as such, but will this knife answer the purpose?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning try to answer this riddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun answer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of answer are rejoinder, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

Where would rejoinder be a reasonable alternative to answer?

The synonyms rejoinder and answer are sometimes interchangeable, but rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When would reply be a good substitute for answer?

The meanings of reply and answer largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When might response be a better fit than answer?

In some situations, the words response and answer are roughly equivalent. However, response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

In what contexts can retort take the place of answer?

While the synonyms retort and answer are close in meaning, retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of answer
Noun
Critics have argued such moves have increased the amount of hate speech on the platform, which Grok pulls from for its answers. —Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 15 July 2025 One of those looking for answers is Austin resident Lisa Miller, whose daughters Eliza, 14, Genevieve, 12, and Birdie, 9, were attending Camp Mystic, perched beside the Guadalupe River in Hunt, when calamity struck on the Fourth of July. —Janelle Griffith, People.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams answers questions in the TV media pen during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 6, 2025 in Northampton, United Kingdom. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025 Taissa Farmiga, who plays Gladys, graciously spoke with The Hollywood Reporter and answered several questions regarding her beloved character’s state of mind throughout this especially harrowing ordeal. —Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for answer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer
  1. response
  2. result
  3. reaction
  4. respond
  5. correspond
  6. solve
  7. reply
  8. solution
Noun
  • Customers have come to expect lightning-fast response times at every hour.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • However, last week, a Brooklyn Federal Court judge ruled in response to a lawsuit from Adams’ campaign that the board couldn’t withhold matching funds from Adams due to the indictment, given that it has been dropped.
    — Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Definition of response
Noun
  • Homelessness, housing costs hit record-high levels nationwide The Department of Housing and Urban Development won't release the 2025 point-in-time count results until the end of this year, but the most recent data shows that homelessness is rising even faster across the U.S. than in Indianapolis.
    — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 24 July 2025
  • Air sampling meters tested the building for hazardous conditions, but the results were negative.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Definition of result
Noun
  • As summer at the box office heats up, MCU fans are sharing their first reactions to The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 July 2025
  • Their reactions quickly went viral, with Byron immediately ducking out of frame and Cabot hastily covering her face before turning her back to escape the frame.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of reaction
Verb
  • The Denison Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further comment.
    — Sam Gillette, People.com, 24 July 2025
  • Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
    — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of respond
Verb
  • Analyst Alan Gould’s new price target of $510, raised from $430, corresponds to about 33% upside ahead.
    — Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 19 July 2025
  • Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Definition of correspond
Verb
  • Tune in for short episodes every Wednesday and Saturday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with his very Grumpy sense of humor.
    — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
  • Luckily, Wayfair solved this predicament with its new apartment storefront, packed with storage solutions for living in a small space.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of solve
Noun
  • Rizz, which pulls its name from slang for charisma, uses generative AI to help users craft replies to dating app messages based on uploaded screenshots.
    — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Fans seemed to be receptive to Joyner Lucas’ reply.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 15 July 2025
Definition of reply
Noun
  • By applying relentless pressure, providing education to the public, and offering alternative solutions, the HFC helped secure significant savings for the American people in the final piece of legislation.
    — Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
  • As far as internal solutions, Javier Assad (oblique) and Jameson Taillon (calf) are progressing but not that close to returning.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Definition of solution

Browse Nearby Words

another
answer
answerability
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Cite this Entry

“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answer. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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