REPLY Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'reply' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reply are answer , rejoinder , response , and retort . While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised. // a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Q: Where would 'answer' be a reasonable alternative to 'reply'?

Although the words answer and reply have much in common, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need. // had answers to all their questions

Q: When can 'rejoinder' be used instead of 'reply'?

The meanings of rejoinder and reply largely overlap; however, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection. // a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Q: When is 'response' a more appropriate choice than 'reply'?

The words response and reply can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Q: When would 'retort' be a good substitute for 'reply'?

In some situations, the words retort and reply are roughly equivalent. However, 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

reply 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈplī

Definition of reply

as in to respond

to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence) replied to the news that she had won the scholarship by jumping around the room and cheering

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to answer

to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction please reply to my question at your earliest convenience

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2 of 2

noun

as in response

action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior decided the best reply to a wrongful discharge from employment was a lawsuit claiming discrimination

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as in answer

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question I look forward to your reply to my request

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun reply differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reply are answer, rejoinder, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Where would answer be a reasonable alternative to reply?

Although the words answer and reply have much in common, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When can rejoinder be used instead of reply?

The meanings of rejoinder and reply largely overlap; however, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When is response a more appropriate choice than reply?

The words response and reply can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When would retort be a good substitute for reply?

In some situations, the words retort and reply are roughly equivalent. However, 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 reply

Verb

The woman replied that Adkins would be in court in nine days representing the man in the custody case against her. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026 Asked whether cinema should be political, Gyllenhaal replied that filmmakers and spectators needed to be open to all types of filmmakers and stories. — Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Noun

Most of the letters in the Beinecke’s collection are replies to Cullen, and reading them without seeing the originating source letter was a beautiful exercise for my imagination. — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026 University email reply-all hell is one of many high jinks that form this bubbly little British rom-com. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reply

Verb

The Arsenal manager was talking about the way his team responded to going a goal behind inside two minutes on Sunday, and the wave after wave of attacks that produced a sense of inevitability that the champions would turn this game around.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
According to XPeng, onboard inference is designed to reduce latency, allowing IRON to process information and respond to its environment more quickly while also keeping operational data on the robot.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of respond

Verb

Smith answered Saturday against Ball State, catching eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns — all before halftime — and striking the pose after his second score.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
North Side appeared ready to answer the Eagles’ early lead when the Steers reached the end zone later in the first quarter.

— Raul Avila, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of answer

Noun

Rather than just controlling throttle response, as most of these systems do on electric bikes, Bonnell’s clutch actually ramps phase amps directly, creating a more natural clutch-like feel, the company’s CEO says.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Former senior vice president of people and culture Erin Dangerfield, now Golden State’s chief people officer, allegedly questioned Vasquez about her responses in the survey.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of response

Verb

Two rows back sat Charlie Kirk’s father, who was bent forward, and mother, who wasn’t reacting physically but taking in what the judge was saying.

— Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Columbia Sportswear utilizes proprietary Omni-Freez Zero technology, which uses special polymer rings embedded in the fabric that react with sweat to pull heat away from the body.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of react

Noun

These were Stella Parton’s most extensive comments yet on the online reaction since Dolly Parton died a little more than a week ago following a brief battle with cancer.

— Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
And yet, when Szumowska and Englert portray Fyodor’s reaction to the couple’s pregnancy, the birth of their child, and a subsequent tragedy, Anna’s adoration for this utterly flawed man almost feels justified.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of reaction

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replumbs

replying

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“Reply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reply. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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