answer for (something)
idiom
1
: to take responsibility for (something)
I can't answer for their safety.
The company will have to answer for any damage done by its employees.
2
: to be punished for (something)
He must answer for his crimes.
3
US
: to be used or serve as (something)
The old bucket answered for a sink.
Examples of answer for (something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite their popularity among divers, basic life history questions, like exact mating locations and seasonal patterns, have been difficult to answer for these predators.
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In a follow-up email, Moorman, the Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson, did not answer for how long Ascension's contracts with the existing physician groups, such as Midwest Critical Care, would remain in place.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 27 Aug. 2025
These are the questions researchers at Northwestern University have been trying to answer for the past 25 years.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
The Bombers had no answer for the Marlins‘ ace and certainly didn’t have one for their bullpen.
—James Oconnell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for answer for (something)
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Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In a follow-up email, Moorman, the Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson, did not answer for how long Ascension's contracts with the existing physician groups, such as Midwest Critical Care, would remain in place.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 27 Aug. 2025
These are the questions researchers at Northwestern University have been trying to answer for the past 25 years.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
The Bombers had no answer for the Marlins‘ ace and certainly didn’t have one for their bullpen.
—James Oconnell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for answer for (something)
Cite this Entry
“Answer for (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answer%20for%20%28something%29. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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