response

noun

ri-ˈspän(t)s How to pronounce response (audio)
Definition of responsenext
1
as in reaction
action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior my response to my first boxing defeat was to train even harder

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reply
something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question the real estate office's unhelpful response to my question about what houses in the area are renting for

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun response differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of response are answer, rejoinder, reply, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," 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

When would answer be a good substitute for response?

The words answer and response can be used in similar contexts, but answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When could rejoinder be used to replace response?

While the synonyms rejoinder and response are close in meaning, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When can reply be used instead of response?

The meanings of reply and response 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 retort be a better fit than response?

Although the words retort and response have much in common, 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 response Texas officials have also pledged to analyze the emergency response and make changes as needed. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 15 July 2025 And many people who study emergency response agree that, to some degree, the agency needs reform. —Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025 These are stock responses — something that’s very clearly not thinking. —Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025 This appears to be in response to longstanding criticism from patient and healthcare provider groups that the process of getting pre-approval from health plans for reimbursement of healthcare services and technologies is too onerous. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for response
Recent Examples of Synonyms for response
  1. reaction
  2. reply
  3. answer
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
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
  • The family of a South Carolina man who died three days after being arrested last month demanded the release of police body camera video and answers regarding his death on Tuesday.
    — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 15 July 2025
  • Hints and the answers for today’s Quordle words are just ahead.
    — Kris Holt, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of answer

Browse Nearby Words

respond (to)
response
responses
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Response.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/response. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on response

Nglish: Translation of response for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about response

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All