RESPONSE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

response

noun

ri-ˈspän(t)s

Definition of response next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 The bright future of luxury living in the UAE is a testament to the market’s ability to adapt and innovate in response to global trends and the evolving preferences of UHNWIs. —

Arash Jalili, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 The project examines how California ground squirrels — native to the state’s grasslands — adapt their behavior in response to environmental changes, in this case an increase in the local vole population. —

Julianna Bragg, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024 China’s exports were boosted by strong demand for electric vehicles and its shipments to Russia, a market that Japanese and Western automakers withdrew from in response to the war in Ukraine. —

River Akira Davis, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024 In response to the outcry, Citi Bike changed its A.P.I. so the data was no longer accessible in real time. —

Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for response

Recent Examples of Synonyms for response

Noun

The conversation also extended to Reddit, where users on the r/centrist subreddit debated the public's reaction to the killing.

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
November was the sixth straight month with an unemployment rate of over 4%, and the overall jobs data drew a modestly positive market reaction.

Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024