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
Dallas Fire-Rescue active call logs showed 15 units responding to the incident.
—
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
They are treated as agents, entities capable of responding to signals, coordinating with others and adapting to context.
—Nathanael Bondu, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
If current trends persist as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the alliance’s greatest challenge may not be responding to a single dramatic breach but managing the mounting pressure created by many smaller ones – each calibrated to test resolve without triggering open conflict.
—Frederic Lemieux, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Wednesday marked a year since an emaciated man was found in Waterbury by firefighters responding to a house fire the man admitted setting to bring rescuers.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
Justice Sonia Sotomayor ordered Democrats to file papers responding to the GOP appeal by the end of the day Thursday.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
In edited footage posted to YouTube by The CrimePiece, which has more than 630,000 views, police and firefighters are seen responding to the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house.
—Ryan Hansen, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
On Thursday, the Giuffre family released a statement responding to Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Speaking on the morning after the shootings, Mayor Brandon Johnson said police had made 18 arrests and recovered five guns while responding to the shootings.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
They are treated as agents, entities capable of responding to signals, coordinating with others and adapting to context.
—Nathanael Bondu, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
If current trends persist as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the alliance’s greatest challenge may not be responding to a single dramatic breach but managing the mounting pressure created by many smaller ones – each calibrated to test resolve without triggering open conflict.
—Frederic Lemieux, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Wednesday marked a year since an emaciated man was found in Waterbury by firefighters responding to a house fire the man admitted setting to bring rescuers.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
Justice Sonia Sotomayor ordered Democrats to file papers responding to the GOP appeal by the end of the day Thursday.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
In edited footage posted to YouTube by The CrimePiece, which has more than 630,000 views, police and firefighters are seen responding to the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house.
—Ryan Hansen, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
On Thursday, the Giuffre family released a statement responding to Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Speaking on the morning after the shootings, Mayor Brandon Johnson said police had made 18 arrests and recovered five guns while responding to the shootings.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responding
Verb
-
Here is what to know about how Americans are reacting to Trump overall.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will feature both men’s and women’s flag football, the NFL just began sponsorship for a new women’s flag league and NCAA Power 4 programs are reacting fast, many soon to be offering up scholarships for competition.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Top Tyler leaders haven’t been thrilled with Pappas either, replying to her letters by defending their work and characterizing her correspondence as counterproductive and at times, misleading or hyperbolic.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Two years ago, Duplicki, an avid runner from the Philadelphia suburb of Lansdale, became Dobbs’ guide after replying to a message on a local Facebook runners’ group.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The car rides commuting to and from the theater are filled with answering texts and emails, while also resting her voice.—
Leigh Scheps,
Parents,
13 Feb. 2026
-
After answering a user query about Santa Fe, the chatbox provided a link to a desert cottage in the locality.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Responding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responding. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
