REPLY Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'reply' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reply are answer , rejoinder , response , and retort . While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised. // a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Q: Where would 'answer' be a reasonable alternative to 'reply'?

Although the words answer and reply have much in common, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need. // had answers to all their questions

Q: When can 'rejoinder' be used instead of 'reply'?

The meanings of rejoinder and reply largely overlap; however, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection. // a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Q: When is 'response' a more appropriate choice than 'reply'?

The words response and reply can be used in similar contexts, but 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 'retort' be a good substitute for 'reply'?

In some situations, the words retort and reply are roughly equivalent. However, 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

reply 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈplī

Definition of reply

as in to respond

to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence) replied to the news that she had won the scholarship by jumping around the room and cheering

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as in to answer

to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction please reply to my question at your earliest convenience

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2 of 2

noun

as in response

action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior decided the best reply to a wrongful discharge from employment was a lawsuit claiming discrimination

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in answer

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question I look forward to your reply to my request

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun reply differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reply are answer, rejoinder, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Where would answer be a reasonable alternative to reply?

Although the words answer and reply have much in common, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When can rejoinder be used instead of reply?

The meanings of rejoinder and reply largely overlap; however, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When is response a more appropriate choice than reply?

The words response and reply can be used in similar contexts, but 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 retort be a good substitute for reply?

In some situations, the words retort and reply are roughly equivalent. However, 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 reply

Verb

Trump has not yet publicly disclosed how the move served national interests, and the White House did not reply to TIME’s request for comment. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 17 Oct. 2026 Reps for TikTok did not immediately reply to Variety‘s requests for comment. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Noun

The Supreme Court application remained pending Friday, with the docket listing the family’s reply but no ruling. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 If the reply comes two days later, the person who receives it is a different, cooler version of the one who wrote in. — Dr. Sariki Abungwo, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reply

Verb

His federal public defender did not respond to a request for comment.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
Defenders must respond to different types of aircraft while managing the cost and availability of defensive missiles.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of respond

Verb

Golden State answered with a three-pointer by Veronica Burton to briefly silence them.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Young protestors answered with an insurrectionary energy in the summer and soon found support from a broader coalition comprised of opposition parties, social movements and other pillars of Indian civil society.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of 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

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

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replumbs

replying

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Style

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

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