respond

1 of 2

verb

re·​spond ri-ˈspänd 

responded; responding; responds

intransitive verb

1

: to say something in return : make an answer

respond to criticism

They responded to my question with an emphatic yes.

2

a(1)

: to react in response

responded to a call for help

(2)

: to have a particular reaction

Most readers responded enthusiastically to the book.

b

: to show favorable reaction

respond to surgery

3

: to be answerable

respond in damages

transitive verb

: reply

responder

ri-ˈspän-dər 

noun

respond

2 of 2

noun

: an engaged pillar supporting an arch or closing a colonnade or arcade

Synonyms of respond

Verb

• react

Examples of respond in a Sentence

Verb

She hasn't yet responded to my letter.

My mother responded to my request with a firm no.

The teacher asked a question, but the student didn't respond.

“Are you ready?” he asked. “No,” she responded.

When I asked him what he was doing, he responded that it was none of my business.

Police quickly responded to the call for help.

She responded to their decision by threatening to quit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Department of Defense did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment regarding potential involvement or oversight of Starlink’s operations in Venezuela. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026

Milwaukee responded with an 18-5 run, completed with two free throws by Antetokounmpo. —CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026

Noun

Much depends on what Washington does next and how Venezuela’s fractured polity responds. —Robert Muggah, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026

Drones could help law enforcement and public safety agencies already struggling with understaffing respond more quickly and effectively to calls for service, Langley said. —Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English respounden, from Anglo-French respundre, from Latin respondēre to promise in return, answer, from re- + spondēre to promise — more at spouse

Noun

Middle English respounde, literally, reply, from Anglo-French respuns, respunt response

First Known Use

Verb

1572, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for respond

• abscond
• beyond
• despond
• awned
• blond
• blonde
• bond
• conned
• dawned
• donned
• fond
• frond

Kids Definition

respond

verb

re·​spond

ri-ˈspänd

1

: to say something in return : make an answer

2

a

: to react in response

note how the animal's eyes respond to light

b

: to have a favorable reaction

the patient is responding to treatment

Medical Definition

respond

intransitive verb

re·​spond ri-ˈspänd 

1

: to react in response

2

: to show favorable reaction

respond to chemotherapy