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

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

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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

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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 In addition, university responses to student demonstrations and new policies to restrict speech have contributed to the suppression of dissent, per the ACLU-Amnesty International report. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Catalonia, the northeastern Spanish region that includes Barcelona, saw its regional president, Salvador Illa, condemn the violence and back the police response. — Amanda MacIas, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Aircraft subsequently transformed passenger travel, global trade, emergency response, and military operations, shrinking the practical distances between continents. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 By Thursday, in response to follow-up questions about the video footage, federal officials no longer said the person jumped on the hood. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for response

Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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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respond (to)

response

responses

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“Response.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/response. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of response

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