respond

²respond

verb

Definition of RESPOND

intransitive verb

1

: to say something in return : make an answer <respond to criticism>

2

a : to react in response <responded to a call for help> b : to show favorable reaction <respond to surgery>

3

: to be answerable <respond in damages>

transitive verb

: reply

— re·spond·er \-ˈspän-dər\ noun

Examples of RESPOND

1. She hasn't yet responded to my letter.
2. My mother responded to my request with a firm no.
3. The teacher asked a question, but the student didn't respond.
4. “Are you ready?” he asked. “No,” she responded.
5. When I asked him what he was doing, he responded that it was none of my business.
6. Police quickly responded to the call for help.
7. She responded to their decision by threatening to quit.

Origin of RESPOND

alteration of Middle English respounden, from Anglo-French respundre, from Latin respondēre to promise in return, answer, from re- + spondēre to promise — more at spouse

First Known Use: 1572

Related to RESPOND

Synonyms: reply, react

Antonyms: ask, inquire, question

Related Words: answer, return; retaliate; construe, interpret, read, take, understand; contend (with), cope (with), grapple (with), handle, manage, negotiate

Near Antonyms: act, behave; affect, cause, draw, effect

see all synonyms and antonyms

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