answer 1 of 2

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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

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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

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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
Some answers could also be in the hundreds of documents filed by prosecutors and defense lawyers that have been under seal and out of public view starting in 2022. Ed White, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025 The eye of the storm was open, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer demanding answers. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 July 2025
Verb
That might be manually answering the same customer questions, rewriting similar emails or organizing data that never quite gets used. Bernardo Martinez, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 These are critical questions every firm must answer to lay the groundwork for confidence during uncertain times. Amy Bjarnason, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for answer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer
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
  • Syria has been under some level of US sanctions since 1979, with more sweeping ones imposed in 2011 in response to dictator Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on protests.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The state police and Correction and Community Services’ Office of Special Investigations probes any in-custody death that isn’t the result of natural causes, Whittaker said.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • The result is abundant natural light and views of the grounds beyond the home.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • So there's going to be a strong reaction in both directions for this mystery houseguest.
    David Wysong, The Enquirer, 7 July 2025
  • While nobody in college football is condoning that type of reaction from fans, the emotions of losing The Game are what will keep it relevant even in an era when the stakes aren’t as high, Carpenter said.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 7 July 2025
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
  • Officers responding around 7:18 p.m. to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 200 block of Prairie View Drive immediately heard gunshots coming from inside the residence, a police news release states.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • That corresponded to images shot Sunday by Maxar Technologies similarly showing the ongoing work.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2025
  • Instead, subscribers answer questions online, correspond with medical professionals virtually and get the prescribed drugs in visually pleasing packages delivered discreetly to their homes.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • That’s the demand problem that PJM is focused on, which is not Maryland’s problem to solve.
    David S. Lapp, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2025
  • No matter what happens, USC’s next president will have a serious financial crisis to solve, a furious faculty to calm and a tense political climate to navigate.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Treasury Secretary gave a blunt reply when asked to respond to Elon Musk's criticism of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • To the police detectives who visit his school, teen behavior is a cipher to be decoded, almost literally: their breakthrough arrives when the lead detective’s young son takes pity on his dad and tells him what all the emojis in Jamie’s Instagram replies mean.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Integration Of Domain Expertise: Allows for direct incorporation of expert knowledge (e.g., via knowledge graphs) into the learning and reasoning process, making AI solutions more contextually aware and effective.
    Anuradha Weeraman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • When every block in New York tells a story of her own bad behavior, the only solution is to take a job in London….
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answer. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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