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
With them, Hwang is both leaving the statement open-ended for viewers to answer for themselves, as well as giving his own answer with Squid Game itself: Humans are susceptible to corruption, to greed, to vengeance.
—
Kayti Burt, Time, 27 June 2025
Abrego Garcia will now return to the United States to answer for his crimes and meet the full force of American justice.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
So, the Panthers had an answer for everything this night.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2025
Siakam was smooth on the offensive end, hitting turnaround jumpers as New York looked for an answer for him.
—Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for answer for (something)
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Kayti Burt, Time, 27 June 2025
Abrego Garcia will now return to the United States to answer for his crimes and meet the full force of American justice.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
So, the Panthers had an answer for everything this night.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2025
Siakam was smooth on the offensive end, hitting turnaround jumpers as New York looked for an answer for him.
—Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 1 June 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 10 Jul. 2025.
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