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Definitions

response

[ri-spons] / rɪˈspɒns /

NOUN

answer, reaction

Synonyms

STRONGEST

feedback reply return

STRONG

acknowledgment antiphon comeback counter echo hit kickback lip rejoinder retort reverberation riposte sass vibes wisecrack

WEAK

back talk double-take knee-jerk reaction respond snappy comeback

Antonyms

STRONGEST

question request

STRONG

failure

WEAK

asking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for response?

A response is a reply or an answer—something said or done after someone else has said or done something. Like response, reply and answer can be used in the context of verbal responses (such as in speech or writing) as well as actions. The word acknowledgement refers to a response that simply acknowledges an initial message or action (as opposed to one that consists of new information or an action on the part of the one responding). Some responses come in the form of feedback. A reply to a comment—especially a quick and witty reply—is sometimes called a comeback, retort, rejoinder, or riposte. A response to an invitation is popularly called an RSVP, an abbreviation of the French phrase répondez s'il vous plaît, meaning “please respond.” In military and sports contexts, the word response is sometimes used as a general way of referring to a counterattack or counterstroke.

What is a more formal word for response?

Response is perhaps slightly more formal than its synonyms answer and reply, but there isn’t a more formal word that is commonly used. The more formal word rejoinder is sometimes used in specific legal contexts. A formal (as in an official) response is sometimes called a formal reply or an official reply.

What is the opposite (antonym) of response?

The opposite of a response is a nonresponse—when someone doesn’t reply or answer at all. The term lack of response is often used. In another sense, the opposite of a response could be thought of as the initial question, statement, comment, email, etc.—since this is what the response responds to.

Is it responce or response?

Response is spelled with an s, which you can also see in the related words responsive, responsible, and responsibility.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

response responses

At its height, more than 500 firefighters were involved in the response and Police Scotland declared it a "major incident".

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

The World Bank said Friday it was disbursing $200 million in emergency funds for the disaster response, as well as a mechanism to assess economic losses to help "prioritize aid and reconstruction efforts."

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Experts later determined she suffered from severe anemia; blood clots in both wings and one kidney; liver and lung abnormalities; and inadequate bone marrow response.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

That response has upset some whose loved ones serve on the Lincoln.

From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026

Aside from some general puzzlement, he got no response.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

"The sex differences observed in OPA1 responses and obesity susceptibility may help inform the development of obesity treatments that take them into account, as well as future personalized medicine approaches."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026

The quake overwhelmed parts of the health system, turning the rescue effort into one of Colombia's largest disaster responses in years.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

Themes emerged in the responses, which were edited for clarity and length.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

They are necessary because many of the more than 125,000 employers surveyed monthly about staffing totals send in their responses late, if at all.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

At first these responses caused disappointment; maybe people were resentful, even, like he’d let them down.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

response

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

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Vocabulary lists containing response

PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)

TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)

The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 7

response

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

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Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing response

PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)

TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)

The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 7