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

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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 Andrea Davis, president and CEO of The Resiliency Initiative, has spent 25 years planning emergency response and crisis management for organizations including Disney, Walmart, the FIFA World Cup and Times Square's New Year's Eve celebration. —

Bryan West, USA Today, 1 July 2026 His job was to cut and paste responses from scripts his scam bosses generated. —

ABC News, 30 June 2026 Bulldozers fall silent as someone calls into the rubble, hoping for a response from anyone still trapped beneath it. —

Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Founded in 2005, the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus was created in response to the urgent health concerns impacting Black gay, bisexual, and same-gender-loving men. —

Darius Johnson, CBS News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for response

Recent Examples of Synonyms for response

Noun

Officials in New Jersey sparked mixed reactions after voting to pave the way for the redevelopment of a former iconic amusement park.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
This unwanted movement, known as the polysulfide shuttle effect, causes active material loss, side reactions, self-discharge, and rapid capacity degradation.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026

Definition of reaction

Noun

When asked specifically about religion, the models provide neutral, respectful replies, Wingate said.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Offices begin thinning out by Thursday, grills run through the weekend, and by Tuesday morning the out-of-office replies come down and the machine restarts.

— Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of reply

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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 5 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of response

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