1
as in to react
to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence)
doctors studying how the brain responds to pain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reply
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction
the students energetically participated in the discussion, responding to the teacher's questions and comments with alacrity and enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 respond
Officers responded to reports of shots being fired shortly after 12:15 a.m. in the 1700 block of East 97th Street in the Linden Hills and Indian Heights neighborhood of Kansas City.
—
Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
San Diego police responded to the shooting under a countywide protocol designed to keep law enforcement agencies from investigating themselves when an officer opens fire.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Oakland Fire Department personnel and paramedics responded to calls for assistance, but both victims succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
Officers responded to an area near the intersection of Elizabeth Avenue and Quail Road at around 2:08 a.m.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respond
Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
San Diego police responded to the shooting under a countywide protocol designed to keep law enforcement agencies from investigating themselves when an officer opens fire.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Oakland Fire Department personnel and paramedics responded to calls for assistance, but both victims succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
Officers responded to an area near the intersection of Elizabeth Avenue and Quail Road at around 2:08 a.m.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respond
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respond
Verb
-
For traders who react to events, recognizing these historical trends can offer an advantage, though the actual outcomes compared to consensus forecasts will be the main factor influencing actions.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Carano shared a statement reacting to the news with EW and on social media.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Nike and Ulta did not reply to requests for comment.—
Monica Hunter-Hart,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Rybakina replied with a quickfire hold of serve, found her defense again and broke back, but Mboko got another break to move up 5-3 and serve for the set.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Autumn Hill will hold a town hall meeting to answer families' questions.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Girardi was seen as more willing to answer individual struggles with some tough love.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Respond.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/respond. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share