ANSWER Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

answer 1 of 2

noun

ˈan(t)-sər

Definition of answer

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?"

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Relevance

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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

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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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answer

2 of 2

verb

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

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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as in to fulfill

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?

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as in to solve

to find an answer for through reasoning try to answer this riddle

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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

Fitting, because the answer is HORSE RACE, which is indeed held on a track. — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026 The judge is desecrating the memory of the Great Charlie Kirk, while taking forever to ask questions that people already know the answer to. — Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

Chigurh kills Wells in his hotel room and then answers a call from Moss intended for Wells. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026 Whether that’s enough to survive one more election — against a Bolsonaro, a banking scandal, and a region turning against him — is what Brazil might answer on Sunday. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for answer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer

Noun

My response was to remind them that their generosity could have big financial consequences.

— Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The hospital system didn’t say that it was being dropped over a specific policy, and an insurance trade group pointed to the high cost of specialty care for children in a response to the hospital’s statements.

— Jack Harvel October 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of response

Noun

Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Some core symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as avoidance and a lack of motivation, can be seen as the results of a brain stuck in the dark room, according to Friston.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of result

Noun

The vaccine’s side effects were mainly the sore arm, fatigue and other reactions typical of mRNA coronavirus vaccination, MD Anderson's Tawbi said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
The vaccine’s side effects were mainly the sore arm, fatigue and other reactions typical of mRNA coronavirus vaccination, Tawbi said.

— Lauren Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of reaction

Verb

The Rebbe corresponded with Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
Basis trades are an arbitrage bet in which hedge funds are positioned long in cash Treasurys while shorting their corresponding futures contracts, with the aim of profiting from the price gap.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of correspond

Verb

Some of the weapons from American manufacturers purchased during the Biden administration are still flowing to Ukraine, but many of those contracts have been fulfilled.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
As a result, critics have likened Achilles to a carpetbagger, and called him a political opportunist who failed to fulfill his commitment to voters.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fulfill

Verb

Its sales team is trying to solve every problem in front of them with the tool the company sells, and that tool is a language model.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The crows solved the task the same way primates do, using the same mathematical logic despite having a very different brain structure.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of solve

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another

answer

answerability

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Style

“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answer. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of answer

noun

verb

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