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answer

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of answer

1 something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question
  • the standard answer of "Fine, thank you" when asked, "How are you?"
Synonyms of answer

comeback, rejoinder, replication, reply, response, retort, return
Words Related to answer

back talk, banter, persiflage, repartee

acknowledgment (or acknowledgement), comment, communication, correspondence, feedback, non sequitur, observation, reaction, remark

defense, explanation, justification, plea, rebuttal, refutation
Near Antonyms of answer

challenge, charge, cross-examination, grilling, interrogation, interrogatory, quiz

poll, questionnaire, survey
Antonyms of answer

inquiry, query, question
2 something attained by mental effort and especially by computation
  • the answers to the odd-numbered problems are at the back of the book
Synonyms of answer

result, solution
Words Related to answer

conclusion, determination, explanation, finding

clue, key
3 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 of answer

reaction, reply, response, take
Words Related to answer

backlash, kickback

rebound

recoil, reflex

revulsion, rise

counterreaction, counterresponse
Near Antonyms of answer

action, behavior

cause, effect

Synonym Discussion of answer

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort 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
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
reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.
    • a point-by-point reply to the accusation
rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.
    • a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument
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

answer

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of answer

1 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 of answer

come back, rejoin, reply, respond, retort, return, riposte
Words Related to answer

acknowledge, comment, communicate, correspond, react, remark

counter, defend, deny, explain, field, rebut, refute
Near Antonyms of answer

challenge, cross-examine, examine, grill, interrogate, pump, quiz

poll, query, survey
Antonyms of answer

ask, inquire, question
2 to be in agreement on every point
  • sorry, I haven't seen anyone answering to that description
Synonyms of answer

accord, agree, check, chord, cohere, coincide, comport, conform, consist, correspond, dovetail, fit, go, harmonize, jibe, rhyme (also rime), sort, square, tally
Words Related to answer

equal, match, parallel

align (also aline), line up, register
Phrases Synonymous with answer

fall in with
Near Antonyms of answer

contradict, dispute, gainsay

negate, nullify

clash, conflict, jar
Antonyms of answer

differ (from), disagree (with)
3 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 of answer

complete, comply (with), fill, fulfill (or fulfil), keep, meet, redeem, satisfy
Words Related to answer

conclude, consummate, finalize, finish, perfect

accomplish, achieve, bring about, bring off, carry out, effect

commit, compass, discharge, execute, follow through (with), make, perform
Phrases Synonymous with answer

abide by, make good (or make good on)
Near Antonyms of answer

default (on)

disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight
Antonyms of answer

breach, break, transgress, violate
4 to find an answer for through reasoning
  • try to answer this riddle
Synonyms of answer

break, crack, dope (out), figure out, puzzle (out), resolve, riddle (out), solve, unravel, unriddle, work, work out
Words Related to answer

conclude, decide, deduce, gather, infer, judge, reason

clear (up), iron out, straighten (out), unscramble, untangle, untie

assume, conjecture, divine, guess, presume, speculate

decipher, decode

Learn More about answer

  1. See words that rhyme with answer Dictionary: Definition of answer Spanish Central: Translation of answer Nglish: Translation of answer for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of answer for Arabic speakers

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