1
as in responding
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corresponding
to be in agreement on every point
sorry, I haven't seen anyone answering to that description
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fulfilling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
try to answer this riddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 answering
In the facility, Kordia spends her days reading, praying, writing in her journal, and answering letters of support.
—
Aida Alami, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
While respondents typically react to the latest news when answering polls, because that's what's accessible in their memories, voters often snap back to their usual partisanship by the time the election rolls around.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
And those legislators are simply not answering KCRA’s questions.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
This week will begin answering questions.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
The Statesman is shining a spotlight on this election with news, in-depth enterprise reporting, exclusive watchdog stories, and our Voter Guide Q&As with candidates answering our questions.
—Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
That’s what Observer writers Mike Kaye and Alex Zietlow were tasked with answering in the latest podcast episode of Processing Blue.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Hosted by The Enquirer in partnership with Xavier, the Ohio Debate Commission, and Cincinnati Citicable, the event will feature both candidates answering questions on issues shaping Cincinnati's future - from housing and public safety to fiscal management and neighborhood growth.
—Staff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025
While answering a question about Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer brought up Dowdle’s comments unprompted.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Aida Alami, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
While respondents typically react to the latest news when answering polls, because that's what's accessible in their memories, voters often snap back to their usual partisanship by the time the election rolls around.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
And those legislators are simply not answering KCRA’s questions.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
This week will begin answering questions.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
The Statesman is shining a spotlight on this election with news, in-depth enterprise reporting, exclusive watchdog stories, and our Voter Guide Q&As with candidates answering our questions.
—Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
That’s what Observer writers Mike Kaye and Alex Zietlow were tasked with answering in the latest podcast episode of Processing Blue.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Hosted by The Enquirer in partnership with Xavier, the Ohio Debate Commission, and Cincinnati Citicable, the event will feature both candidates answering questions on issues shaping Cincinnati's future - from housing and public safety to fiscal management and neighborhood growth.
—Staff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025
While answering a question about Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer brought up Dowdle’s comments unprompted.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for answering
Verb
-
Selena Gomez seems to be responding to recent remarks made by Hailey Bieber about their respective beauty brands.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
18 Oct. 2025
-
His pistol was recovered by responding officers.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Panthers entered the weekend with an opening on their 53-man roster, so only one corresponding move was needed to activate Corbett and Coker together.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Namely, that home prices have gone up so much since the pandemic, without corresponding wage increases.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the uncertainty became our motivation to grow, learn, and build a fulfilling life from scratch.—
Alex Trias,
CNBC,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Enos said that beginning Monday the company will probably have to focus most of its resources on fulfilling T-shirt orders from Swifties.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Those experiences gave him a respect for precision, process, and real-world problem solving.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
-
In Season 1, Gillory was a janitor at the LAPD but become a full-time consultant after solving a murder case and impressing everyone with her IQ of 160.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Miranda, then 27, began replying to father Ken's usual check-in messages with subtle hints but resorted to sending him a photo from the hospital when the penny dropped.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
But Kaliakmanis’ counterpart — freshman Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey — got the last laugh, replying with two second-half touchdown passes and three total as Minnesota rallied from that 14-0 hole for a 31-28 win in their Big Ten opener.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The release of Skims’ new thong is uniquely coinciding with a wider conversation about female body hair happening in beauty now, as brands such as Billie double down on product partnerships with bush-positive messaging.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The Orionids meteor shower peaks October 20th/21st here in 2025, coinciding with a new Moon.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But while prosecutors and law enforcement continue doing the hard work of keeping Orange County safe, the County CEO appears intent on undermining that success.—
Todd Spitzer,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The rain was steady, as was the traffic, but everyone was also keeping an eye out for a junkie on a bender.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If Hamas doesn't disarm—or Israel resumes its bombings of Gaza—the entire peace plan risks unraveling.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Everything at work suddenly seems to be unraveling, especially with annoying Douglas blowing bubbles everywhere and distracting Doris when Ron’s trying to get footage to document her hip problem and the risk of an unsafe chair.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Answering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answering. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share