RESPOND Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

respond

verb

Definition of respond

as in to react

to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence) doctors studying how the brain responds to pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reply

to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction the students energetically participated in the discussion, responding to the teacher's questions and comments with alacrity and enthusiasm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 respond The protest turned violent when a group of young people wearing masks hurled rocks at riot police, who responded with stun grenades, tear gas and a water cannon. — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026 The result suggests that Thwaites is still responding to past environmental changes. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Pélissier, whose justice ministry oversees the Haitian national police, did not respond to a request for comment. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Sacramento State and Sierra College leaders told the group that their schools are responding to the industry’s workforce needs. — Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respond

Recent Examples of Synonyms for respond

Verb

Related Stories Speaking to Variety on the red carpet at its London Film Festival premiere on Sunday, Garfield — who has been Oscar-nominated twice but never won — reacted humbly to the praise.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Chaim Goodman-Strauss, one of the mathematicians behind the hat proof and an outreach mathematician at the National Museum of Mathematics, wrote a preprint reacting to the Chair44 results.

— Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of react

Verb

For example, a user could reply to an iPhone text message by typing on an onscreen keyboard or using their voice to dictate a reply.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
The Federal Trade Commission warns that even replying to an unexpected text can confirm that a scammer has reached a working telephone number.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reply

Verb

The Pentagon has not answered questions from The Associated Press about the restrictions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Kansas’ junior Republican senator spent roughly 30 minutes answering questions from a Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce moderator.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of answer

Browse Nearby Words

resplendent

respond

responded

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Cite this Entry

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

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Synonyms of respond

verb

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