Synonyms of respond

respond

verb

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

• react
• reply
• answer
• return
• read
• understand
• interpret
• manage
• retaliate
• handle
• cope (with)
• negotiate
• construe
• take
• contend (with)
• grapple (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• act
• cause
• affect
• behave
• draw
• effect

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

• reply
• answer
• react
• retort
• comment
• rejoin
• explain
• return
• come back
• acknowledge
• riposte
• correspond
• communicate
• remark
• counter
• defend
• refute
• rebut
• deny
• field

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ask
• inquire
• question
• examine
• challenge
• interrogate
• pump
• survey
• query
• cross-examine
• grill
• quiz
• poll

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of respond

While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said. — CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

The Justice Department did not respond to an inquiry from The Times. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

The Bearcats responded with a nine-play, 80-yard drive and French’s fourth TD pass, a 17-yarder to Larenzo Fenner that extended Cincinnati’s lead to 31-15 with 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Aguilar’s supervisor contacted the BEP police, and Lock responded. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026