Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for response. Search instead for cosponso.
Definitions

response

[ri-spons] / rɪˈspɒns /


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:

"I am sorry about that. The response has too often not been good enough. We need to do better," the paper quoted him as saying earlier this month.

From Barron's Jul. 19, 2026

While many in Latin America are rooting against Argentina, the team has received a rapturous response at training camps in the United States, with fans chanting "Messi! Messi!"

From Barron's Jul. 18, 2026

Feeling embarrassed is a natural human response, but social media has altered how big the audience watching the moment is, said Burnett.

From BBC Jul. 18, 2026

Krishna bet big on a hybrid-cloud approach in response to the rise of hyperscalers and has long sold investors on IBM’s role in quantum computing—a next-generation technology he says is three to five years away.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 18, 2026

There’s no response, so I step farther into the room, only to find an empty space with freshly painted white walls.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Mitochondria are best known as the structures that generate energy inside cells, but scientists increasingly recognize that they also release chemical signals that affect metabolism, inflammation, stress responses, and aging.

From Science Daily Jul. 18, 2026

An illustration of the three responses from the bacteria when the nanoplastics come into contact with the biofilm.

From Science Daily Jul. 17, 2026

Its process puts applicants through rigorous tests measuring reasoning, judgment and speed, and quantitatively grades interview responses.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 15, 2026

AI's ability to conjure up speedy responses to all kinds of questions "removes learning opportunities" from users, said Carnegie Mellon University doctoral student Grace Liu, the article's main author.

From Barron's Jul. 15, 2026

Jefferson then apologized in return, claiming that he received over twelve hundred letters a year, all of which required responses, so it was difficult for him to match the Adams pace.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis




Vocabulary lists containing response


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training