Synonyms of response

response

noun

ri-ˈspän(t)s 

1

as in reaction

action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior

my response to my first boxing defeat was to train even harder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reaction
• answer
• reply
• take
• backlash
• reflex
• rebound
• recoil
• revulsion
• kickback
• counterreaction
• rise
• counterresponse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• action
• effect
• behavior
• cause

2

as in reply

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question

the real estate office's unhelpful response to my question about what houses in the area are renting for

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reply
• answer
• reaction
• return
• retort
• remark
• rejoinder
• comment
• feedback
• explanation
• observation
• replication
• communication
• comeback
• rebuttal
• acknowledgment
• justification
• refutation
• banter
• back talk
• correspondence
• defense
• plea
• non sequitur
• persiflage
• repartee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• question
• inquiry
• query
• challenge
• charge
• interrogation
• survey
• questionnaire
• quiz
• poll
• interrogatory
• cross-examination
• grilling

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun response differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of response are answer, rejoinder, reply, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

When would answer be a good substitute for response?

The words answer and response can be used in similar contexts, but answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When could rejoinder be used to replace response?

While the synonyms rejoinder and response are close in meaning, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When can reply be used instead of response?

The meanings of reply and response largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When might retort be a better fit than response?

Although the words retort and response have much in common, retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of response

Pride Month falls in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, which were in response to a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, one of the few establishments in the city at the time that served the LGBTQ+ community. —Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026

Backlash over Anthropic’s plan to degrade responses for prompts linked to high-risk responses has been swift with some calling it appalling and hostile to users. —Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Gas prices have fallen toward $4 per gallon in recent weeks, nearing the milestone as oil costs have eased in response to negotiations between the United States and Iran. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 June 2026

The Associated Press sent emails to a dozen state attorneys general Saturday asking for details of the probe but has not received any responses. —Bernard Condon, Fortune, 13 June 2026