1
as in reacts
to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence)
doctors studying how the brain responds to pain
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in replies
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
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Recent Examples of responds
And the association responds by foreclosing on the home.
—
Michael P. Mayoral, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
There’s no invoice after a fire truck responds.
—Lisa Mallozzi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Pecola responds to her misery by trying to undo herself.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
When a witness responds with adolescent insults rather than substantive answers, the deterioration in tone cannot be fairly placed at lawmakers’ feet.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
Over time, your nervous system senses instability and responds by creating protective tension, further limiting movement and increasing pain as a warning signal.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
In the same example, imagine the exporter responds to the tariff by lowering the price to $80.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
The gearbox demands care until the oil warms, but the V-8 engine—a derivative of which found its way into the Ferrari F430—responds instantly and pulls eagerly for revs.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
Michael P. Mayoral, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
There’s no invoice after a fire truck responds.
—Lisa Mallozzi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Pecola responds to her misery by trying to undo herself.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
When a witness responds with adolescent insults rather than substantive answers, the deterioration in tone cannot be fairly placed at lawmakers’ feet.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
Over time, your nervous system senses instability and responds by creating protective tension, further limiting movement and increasing pain as a warning signal.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
In the same example, imagine the exporter responds to the tariff by lowering the price to $80.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
The gearbox demands care until the oil warms, but the V-8 engine—a derivative of which found its way into the Ferrari F430—responds instantly and pulls eagerly for revs.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for responds
Verb
-
The chemical, called dipotassium orthophosphate, reacts with lead pipes to seal in the lead and prevent it from leaching into the water, according to Aurora Superintendent of Water Production Bob Leible.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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The scam only works if someone reacts.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The voice that replies, however, is not that of his wife but rather an impoverished young woman who has entered the medium’s caravan to steal food.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
1 Jan. 2026
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Back to the sofa, TV on, Tom replies.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Leaving behind the poetics of artistic subtlety, the work here answers that question with sharp transparency.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
One of them answers Bullitt, because of course.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Responds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/responds. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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