Synonyms of answer

answer 1 of 2

noun

ˈan(t)-sər 

1

as in response

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question

the standard answer of "Fine, thank you" when asked, "How are you?"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• response
• reply
• reaction
• return
• retort
• rejoinder
• remark
• comment
• explanation
• acknowledgement
• replication
• feedback
• comeback
• observation
• justification
• rebuttal
• communication
• refutation
• back talk
• acknowledgment
• banter
• plea
• defense
• correspondence
• non sequitur
• repartee
• persiflage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• question
• inquiry
• query
• challenge
• charge
• quiz
• survey
• interrogation
• questionnaire
• poll
• interrogatory
• cross-examination
• grilling

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

• result
• solution
• explanation
• finding
• determination
• conclusion
• clue
• key

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

• response
• reaction
• reply
• take
• backlash
• reflex
• rebound
• recoil
• kickback
• revulsion
• counterresponse
• rise
• counterreaction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• action
• effect
• behavior
• cause

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

• respond
• reply
• react
• retort
• comment
• return
• rejoin
• explain
• come back
• riposte
• acknowledge
• remark
• correspond
• communicate
• counter
• refute
• rebut
• defend
• deny
• field

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ask
• question
• inquire
• examine
• challenge
• interrogate
• pump
• survey
• query
• quiz
• grill
• cross-examine
• poll

2

as in to correspond

to be in agreement on every point

sorry, I haven't seen anyone answering to that description

Synonyms & Similar Words

• correspond
• coincide
• agree
• conform
• fit
• check
• consist
• sort
• go
• rhyme
• harmonize
• accord
• jibe
• square
• match
• fall in with
• comport
• tally
• align
• dovetail
• cohere
• chord
• parallel
• rime
• equal
• line up
• register
• aline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disagree (with)
• differ (from)
• contradict
• dispute
• conflict
• nullify
• negate
• gainsay
• jar
• clash

3

as in to fulfil

to do what is required by the terms of

I don't have a box cutter as such, but will this knife answer the purpose?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fulfil
• fulfill
• satisfy
• complete
• keep
• meet
• fill
• abide by
• comply (with)
• make good
• redeem
• finalize
• accomplish
• conclude
• make good on
• perfect
• carry out
• execute
• achieve
• finish
• effect
• bring about
• perform
• make
• consummate
• commit
• bring off
• compass
• discharge
• follow through (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break
• violate
• breach
• ignore
• forget
• slight
• transgress
• disregard
• pass over
• overlook
• neglect
• default (on)
• overpass

4

as in to solve

to find an answer for through reasoning

try to answer this riddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• solve
• unravel
• resolve
• figure out
• work
• decipher
• work out
• conclude
• crack
• decide
• unriddle
• deduce
• guess
• reason
• puzzle (out)
• riddle (out)
• judge
• break
• infer
• gather
• dope (out)
• presume
• assume
• speculate
• clear (up)
• straighten (out)
• conjecture
• divine
• iron out
• decode
• unscramble
• untie
• untangle

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

Recent Examples of answer

Noun

Hope Florida has been branded as the DeSantises’ conservative answer to welfare. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025

Tice said that, if someone had asked him two years ago whether life ever existed on Mars, his answer would have been that scientists simply didn't know enough to have a meaningful discussion. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Verb

An agency spokesperson declined to answer questions about the case. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025

Karen Pojmann, communications director for the Missouri Department of Corrections, declined to answer questions The Star sent in an email. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025