1
as in reacting
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 replying
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 responding
So, pause before responding and try to remain neutral during their outbursts.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump is never shy of responding to criticism that is damaging to him from any source.
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
The helicopters were among six aircraft responding to the Broadway Fire, which began after a building fire spread to nearby vegetation in Cabazon, a community in Riverside County 90 miles east of Los Angeles.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Allen instructed responding deputies to meet at a rally point before responding to the shooting call, Tony said.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Grand Prairie police officers on Friday morning shot a man after responding to the wrong home, according to a statement.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Despite shooting down any suggestions of infidelity, she’s continued to field the questions and comments, responding politely to the seemingly never-ending queries.
—Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The book—or rather, the section of the book that covers the miraculous story of the school bus that McKay drove to safety after responding to an emergency call—became the basis of Greengrass’ movie co-written by Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby.
—Tomris Laffly, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
The official, responding to a query about the plans from The Athletic, spoke on condition of anonymity and was not authorized to be named publicly.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Trump is never shy of responding to criticism that is damaging to him from any source.
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
The helicopters were among six aircraft responding to the Broadway Fire, which began after a building fire spread to nearby vegetation in Cabazon, a community in Riverside County 90 miles east of Los Angeles.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Allen instructed responding deputies to meet at a rally point before responding to the shooting call, Tony said.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Grand Prairie police officers on Friday morning shot a man after responding to the wrong home, according to a statement.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Despite shooting down any suggestions of infidelity, she’s continued to field the questions and comments, responding politely to the seemingly never-ending queries.
—Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The book—or rather, the section of the book that covers the miraculous story of the school bus that McKay drove to safety after responding to an emergency call—became the basis of Greengrass’ movie co-written by Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby.
—Tomris Laffly, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
The official, responding to a query about the plans from The Athletic, spoke on condition of anonymity and was not authorized to be named publicly.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responding
Verb
-
Their emotional swings may trigger your own stress, but reacting impulsively can worsen the situation.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Being one of the most popular cast members of the sketch show has many people reacting to the news like former SNL cast member Cecily Strong.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With an uneasy feeling about the situation, the man decided to stop replying.—
Nicki Cox,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
With each successive exchange, the replying chorus added another member, until the air was filled with a continuous melody of bugles, grunts, cow/calf calls, whistles and chuckles.—
Jim Tschetter,
Outdoor Life,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Kirk was answering an audience question about mass shootings when the bullet struck his neck, causing students and visitors to flee in panic.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk was in the middle of answering an audience member's question, which was about mass shootings, when a gunman shot him once in the neck, sending thousands of people running and screaming for safety.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Responding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responding. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share