answer 1 of 2

1
2
as in result
something attained by mental effort and especially by computation the answers to the odd-numbered problems are at the back of the book

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in reaction
action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior a cold stare was her withering answer to that gratuitous insult

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

answer

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to respond
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction didn't answer right away when the detective asked him where he'd been for the last three hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun answer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of answer are rejoinder, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

Where would rejoinder be a reasonable alternative to answer?

The synonyms rejoinder and answer are sometimes interchangeable, but rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When would reply be a good substitute for answer?

The meanings of reply and answer largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When might response be a better fit than answer?

In some situations, the words response and answer are roughly equivalent. However, 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

In what contexts can retort take the place of answer?

While the synonyms retort and answer are close in meaning, 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 answer
Noun
When the Fire Nation attacked Wang and colleagues radiocarbon dated the stumps’ outermost rings to find out when the trees had stopped growing, and the answer is around 2,100 years ago (give or take about 70 years). ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025 Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images The top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability wants answers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about why its public records staff was gutted on April 1, when thousands of federal health agency workers were fired. Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
The cuts would affect response times by the department to answer requests from the Fire and Police departments, and would result in roughly 700 unanswered daily calls from residents to the Transportation Department’s communications center. Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025 Kennedy also promised rapid results, with some questions answered by September. Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for answer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer
Noun
  • In response to questions from Jackson, Nuttall agreed that injuries to O'Keefe's face could have been caused by a punch to the face.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The Supreme Court on Saturday temporarily blocked the deportation of Venezuelans held in Texas under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 in response to an emergency appeal form the American Civil Liberties Union.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Webb telescope observations could have occurred by chance or could be the result of previously unknown chemical processes at work on K2-18b.
    George Petras, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Friday’s result provided further clarity on the Heat’s draft pick situation.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Despite being a mere 10 million years old, Betelgeuse is already nearing the end of its mighty existence, having already expended most of its hydrogen reserves needed to fuel the fusion reaction that prevents the gigantic stellar body from collapsing in on itself.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Is There Any Correlation With Peer Earnings? Occasionally, the performance of peers can impact the stock reaction following earnings.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Humans, on the other hand, are quick to respond to Tyrion.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on the New York Times report.
    Erin Doherty, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Cox and his team ensure each of their rentals (and their corresponding shower curtains) are clean and cared for.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The regulations sought to address transactions that resulted in artificial increases to the basis of property, thereby generating tax benefits without corresponding economic outlay.
    Joshua D. Smeltzer, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The hedge-fund collapses and Russian debt default in the 1998 financial panic and the U.S. sovereign-debt standoff in 2011 also did not feel as if they had been solved at the point the stock market started rebounding.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
  • His presence is part of the peculiar riddle that Djokovic, who turns 38 on May 22, has been trying to solve for going on two years now.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But after such a storming end to the league campaign and scoring 30 goals without reply on the four-game route to the final, Wrexham’s women are hopeful of delivering their half of a notable club double.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In what may be a reply from Hathaway herself, the recipient stands by her husband and refuses to settle the claim.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Nadler Modular continues to lead with tailored solutions across these sectors.
    Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This means prioritizing effective solutions over idealistic ones.
    Antoine Rostand, Time, 21 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answer. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on answer

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!