responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce responsive (audio)
Synonyms of responsivenext
1
: giving response : constituting a response : answering
a responsive glance
responsive aggression
2
: quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically : sensitive
3
: using responses
a responsive liturgy
responsively adverb
responsiveness noun

Did you know?

Responsive comes from the joining of Latin responsus with the suffix -ivus, which gave English -ive. That suffix changes verbs into adjectives, as in suggestive or corrosive. Responsus is a form of respondēre, which means "to answer" and is the source of English's respond. Responsive enters the language with the meaning "giving response" or "answering." Examples are "a responsive letter" or "a responsive glance." Nowadays, it variously describes people or things that immediately respond or react to something, such as "a responsive audience" or "a car with responsive steering."

Examples of responsive in a Sentence

The patient was not responsive to the treatment. The store is very responsive to the needs of its customers.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The result surprised the researchers because nuclear spins are generally much less responsive to external electrical signals than electron spins. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026 The new Echo Dot packs Amazon's AZ3 chip, a fourth microphone, and Omnisense sensors into its little speaker ball, all to make Alexa more responsive and capable. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026 Roberto Sosa turned around and saw his son on the ground, not responsive. — Zoey Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 Understanding the link between sleep patterns and depression could help clinicians better diagnose and treat the condition, especially in people whose depression seems less responsive to conventional therapies. — Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for responsive

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of responsive was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing responsive

Rhymes for responsive

See All Rhymes for responsive

Browse Nearby Words

responsions
responsive
responsively
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Responsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsive. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

responsive

adjective
re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce responsive (audio)
1
: giving response : being an answer
a responsive smile
2
: quick to respond or react sympathetically : sensitive
responsive to the needs of the poor
responsively adverb
responsiveness noun

Medical Definition

responsive

adjective
re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce responsive (audio)
: making a response
especially : responding to treatment
pain responsive to opioids

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