reply 1 of 2

1
as in to respond
to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence) replied to the news that she had won the scholarship by jumping around the room and cheering

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

reply

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun reply differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reply are answer, rejoinder, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Where would answer be a reasonable alternative to reply?

Although the words answer and reply have much in common, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When can rejoinder be used instead of reply?

The meanings of rejoinder and reply largely overlap; however, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When is response a more appropriate choice than reply?

The words response and reply can be used in similar contexts, but response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

When would retort be a good substitute for reply?

In some situations, the words retort and reply are roughly equivalent. However, retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

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 reply
Verb
Jarrell Lamont Pryor would cheerfully reply before peeking around the corner and scooping his running daughter into his arms. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 Massie's spokesman Jonathan Van Norman did not immediately reply to inquiries about how much money Musk donated or if the congressman had spoken to Musk about re-election support. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Noun
In a reply to questions posed by the Duluth News Tribune, Forest Service officials said market analysis suggested the BWCAW would still offer a good deal compared with other similar destinations. Peter Passi, Twin Cities, 18 June 2025 Seeing the unfavorable replies, the mother chimed in. Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for reply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reply
Verb
  • Firefighters had responded to reports of a brush fire at Canfield Mountain, north of Coeur d’Alene, at around 1:30 p.m., at which point someone started shooting at them.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 July 2025
  • With its gentle but informative alert, the Apple Noise app gives users the awareness to respond rather than react.
    Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • These are critical questions every firm must answer to lay the groundwork for confidence during uncertain times.
    Amy Bjarnason, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Whether Iran is still in U.S. critical infrastructure systems is a harder question to answer, according to Jamil Jaffer, the founder and executive director of the National Security Institute at George Mason University and former associate counsel to President George W. Bush.
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • This appears to be in response to longstanding criticism from patient and healthcare provider groups that the process of getting pre-approval from health plans for reimbursement of healthcare services and technologies is too onerous.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The age rule was adopted in 1995 in response to Jennifer Capriati, a teenage tennis phenomenon who struggled with the pressure of competition at such a young age.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Instead of reacting out of habit, curious individuals ask questions like What is the most important task right now?
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • In a statement to Variety, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reacted to the Supreme Court news, first reported by Reuters.
    Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Both, it could be argued, as a producer and writer have only hit full stride and an international reach in TV with the advent of streamers, notably Netflix and Movistar Plus+, and the reaction of incumbent broadcasters in Spain, essaying series which aimed to combine broad audiences with a TV edge.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 25 June 2025
  • But Marte’s emotional reaction, crying on the field after the remarks apparently triggered him, gave the Sox organization another black eye.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reply. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on reply

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!