response

noun

re·​sponse ri-ˈspän(t)s How to pronounce response (audio)
Synonyms of responsenext
1
: an act of responding
2
: something constituting a reply or a reaction: such as
a
: a verse, phrase, or word sung or said by the people or choir after or in reply to the officiant in a liturgical service
b
: the activity or inhibition of previous activity of an organism or any of its parts resulting from stimulation
c
: the output of a transducer or detecting device resulting from a given input

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for response

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return.

answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

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

reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

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

Examples of response in a Sentence

He got a response to his letter. I am writing in response to your letter of July 17. When I told him my plan, I wasn't expecting such an enthusiastic response. Her response to their decision was to threaten to quit her job. When you knocked on the door, was there any response?
Recent Examples on the Web In January, Tehran seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman and transferred it to an Iranian port in response to the United States confiscating the same vessel and its oil last year. —Adam Pourahmadi, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024 Google isn’t the only company to threaten action in response to AB 886. —Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for response 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'response.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English & Latin; Middle English respounce, from Anglo-French respuns, respounce, from Latin responsum reply, from neuter of responsus, past participle of respondēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of response was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing response

Dictionary Entries Near response

responsary

response

response curve

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Response.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/response. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

response

noun
re·​sponse ri-ˈspän(t)s How to pronounce response (audio)
1
: an act or instance of replying : answer
2
: words said or sung by the people or choir in a religious service
3
: a reaction of a living thing to a stimulus

Medical Definition

response

noun
re·​sponse ri-ˈspän(t)s How to pronounce response (audio)
: the activity or inhibition of previous activity of an organism or any of its parts resulting from stimulation
a conditioned response

More from Merriam-Webster on response

Nglish: Translation of response for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of response for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about response

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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