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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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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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

The candidate had the right title, a polished resume and strong interview answers. — Kenzie Biggins, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 When human remains were found in suitcases abandoned by the side of a rural Wisconsin road, a community was left shocked and searching for answers. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

When the interview ended, Zacharia said hello to a crowd of reporters gathered outside, but declined to answer any questions. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Then the Rays answered in the top of the fourth inning, getting a two-run triple and putting themselves up 2-1. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for answer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer

Noun

Their responses were not edited and are in the candidates’ own words.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
More than 350 flights were canceled or delayed at Moscow airports, local media reported, as planes were grounded in response to incoming drones.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of response

Noun

The story centers on two ex-lovers who come back into each other’s lives after spending decades apart, only to find old feelings stirring with messy and mixed results.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Otherworldly was the result at Mugler, as well, where outer eyelashes got extruded like whiskers.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of result

Noun

The trigger for lithium-ion battery fires is a process called thermal runaway, a cascading sequence of heat-releasing reactions inside the battery cell.

— Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
While there were mixed reactions at the time, the numbers are now backing up the idea.

— Jessica Riley, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of reaction

Verb

The government did not respond to further questions sent in October for this article.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Massie had aggravated Trump by pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and opposing the Iran war, and the president responded by successfully backing Gallrein in the party’s primary.

— Michelle S. Price, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of respond

Verb

While eliminating progressive programs, Walls said the state should fulfill its obligation to fully and equally fund all public schools.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The perfecting statement and requested cure The notice must explicitly state that it is served to fulfill the procedural prerequisite for pursuing the statutory civil remedy.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of fulfill

Verb

Separate nozzles also don't solve the problems of bonding incompatible materials or managing different printing temperatures.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Throw in a third massive object, though, and the math gets ridiculously more complicated and difficult to solve.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of solve

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answer

answerability

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“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answer. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of answer

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verb

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Synonyms of answer

noun

verb

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