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
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Recent Examples of answering
Hammon was answering a question about the Aces’ defense, or lack thereof, in the second half — when Las Vegas conceded 50 points to the Wings — before pivoting to the paucity of free-throw attempts for her team.
—
Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 29 May 2026
But Janet is not just someone who sits behind the desk answering phones and filing paperwork.
—Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Or, if you're all gathered around the fire making s'mores, take turns sharing stories or answering questions from a question card deck.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026
The Anti-Weaponization Fund being set up in the Department of Justice will have a five-person board answering only to the attorney general, who is now Trump’s former personal criminal defense lawyer Todd Blanche in an acting capacity.
—New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026
His robotic counterpart, dressed all in black like the professor, did as good a job, if not better, of answering a key existentialist question on the meaning of robots.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Considering the question, Madonna opted to narrow the list down before answering.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 28 May 2026
Ouchi describes the complexity of answering questions about prognosis or recovery after a fall.
—Adaira Landry, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Oliver advanced to the finals by correctly spelling two words and answering a vocabulary question in Wednesday’s semifinals at Constitution Hall.
—City News Service, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 29 May 2026
But Janet is not just someone who sits behind the desk answering phones and filing paperwork.
—Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Or, if you're all gathered around the fire making s'mores, take turns sharing stories or answering questions from a question card deck.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026
The Anti-Weaponization Fund being set up in the Department of Justice will have a five-person board answering only to the attorney general, who is now Trump’s former personal criminal defense lawyer Todd Blanche in an acting capacity.
—New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026
His robotic counterpart, dressed all in black like the professor, did as good a job, if not better, of answering a key existentialist question on the meaning of robots.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Considering the question, Madonna opted to narrow the list down before answering.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 28 May 2026
Ouchi describes the complexity of answering questions about prognosis or recovery after a fall.
—Adaira Landry, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Oliver advanced to the finals by correctly spelling two words and answering a vocabulary question in Wednesday’s semifinals at Constitution Hall.
—City News Service, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for answering
Verb
-
Supply disruptions have also hit hard in Europe and Africa, where countries are responding to rising fuel costs and a considerable threat to food security.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Nassau County Police said officers were responding to a domestic disturbance call.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
In a corresponding move, the Dolphins also waived linebacker and safety Jordan Colbert.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
-
For example, clinical trials demonstrate weight loss of 15-20% or more, with corresponding improvements in cardiovascular outcomes, kidney function and metabolic health.—
Karen R. Studer,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
In practice, e-commerce sellers are often overwhelmed with the day-to-day of managing inventory and promotions, fulfilling orders and making sure their accounts are in order.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
This means that boards should not avoid fulfilling their duty by invoking a lack of funds – their duty is to gather the funds to take proper care of the property.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
While speaking with Spectrum News, Obama Shaw said his involvement in the community inspired his run for California governor, with a platform that includes solving the homelessness crisis, building more housing, and cutting unnecessary spending.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
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By studying how dogs navigate rough terrain, geckos climb walls, and fish move through water, researchers are creating machines capable of solving problems that traditional robots struggle to address.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Both ministers were replying after anonymous sources cited Tuesday by the Financial Times said the United States had signaled openness to deploying elements of its nuclear arsenal in new European countries, in addition to the six currently thought to host nuclear weapons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
That doesn’t just mean being available for strategy phone calls or instantly replying on email.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Father's Day in 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
The men's soccer World Cup starts next week at 16 stadiums in North America, coinciding with the arrival of potentially dangerous summer weather in many host cities.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Taken together, the two measures highlight a growing tension in a state that prides itself on stewardship of the environment, as policymakers aim to protect threatened or endangered animals while also keeping people, pets and livestock safe.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
Studies found little real difference, but the new patent was an effective tool for keeping generics at bay and continuing to collect monopoly profits.—
Wayne T Brough,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Ray Ferraro had one of the best views of this dream season unraveling for the Colorado Avalanche.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
At the same time that the GKN situation was unraveling, the rupture of a chemical tank containing a different chemical mixture killed 11 people at a paper mill in Washington state.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Answering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answering. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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