respond

1 of 2

verb

re·​spond ri-ˈspänd How to pronounce respond (audio)
responded; responding; responds
Synonyms of respondnext

intransitive verb

1
: to say something in return : make an answer
respond to criticism
They responded to my question with an emphatic yes.
2
a(1)
: to react in response
responded to a call for help
(2)
: to have a particular reaction
Most readers responded enthusiastically to the book.
b
: to show favorable reaction
respond to surgery
3
: to be answerable
respond in damages
responder noun

respond

2 of 2

noun

: an engaged pillar supporting an arch or closing a colonnade or arcade

Synonyms of respond

Examples of respond in a Sentence

Verb She hasn't yet responded to my letter. My mother responded to my request with a firm no. The teacher asked a question, but the student didn't respond. “Are you ready?” he asked. “No,” she responded. When I asked him what he was doing, he responded that it was none of my business. Police quickly responded to the call for help. She responded to their decision by threatening to quit.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
The Dragon couldn’t respond, punting away. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Dec. 2025 Multiple agencies responded, including the Lewiston Fire Department, Lewiston Police Department, Idaho State Police, the City of Lewiston Streets Division and Nez Perce County officials. Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Noun
Investors walked away impressed — and are now waiting to see how Netflix and WBD each respond. Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 9 Dec. 2025 Target, Walmart, McDonald's respond to previous consumer boycotts Target, which was on the receiving end of a People’s Union USA boycott earlier in 2025, has faced significant backlash over the past several months. Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for respond

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Middle English respounde, literally, reply, from Anglo-French respuns, respunt response

First Known Use

Verb

1572, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of respond was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Respond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respond. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

respond

verb
re·​spond
ri-ˈspänd
1
: to say something in return : make an answer
2
a
: to react in response
note how the animal's eyes respond to light
b
: to have a favorable reaction
the patient is responding to treatment

Medical Definition

respond

intransitive verb
re·​spond ri-ˈspänd How to pronounce respond (audio)
1
: to react in response
2
: to show favorable reaction
respond to chemotherapy

More from Merriam-Webster on respond

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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