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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:

Keytruda is administered at the same time to help make sure the patient’s immune response activates against the leftover cancer cells.

From MarketWatch Aug. 20, 2026

Bitcoin rallied close to $72,000 in response to Trump’s comments, trading up 4.1% to $71,867.90—a jump of more than 21% on its July low.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 20, 2026

In response to the service inquiry's recommendations, it is understood the MoD has updated its policy on managing asbestos.

From BBC Aug. 20, 2026

Raman, on the other hand, said Bass mishandled the city’s response to SB 79, even as the city failed to produce enough new homes.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 20, 2026

“From this point forward, your response will be that your mother was killed in Poland.”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Those responses included pressing a button using either the index or middle finger on either hand.

From Science Daily Aug. 20, 2026

It is also working on a system in which OpenAI could store the information with encrypted keys owned by the customer, meaning its employees wouldn’t see model prompts or responses or other sensitive information.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 19, 2026

CISA, the agency charged with the mandate of leading the nation’s collective defense against cyber threats and coordinating national incident responses, appears unprepared to meet this moment.

From Slate Aug. 19, 2026

In 2025, a team of healthcare providers and researchers concluded that only 65% of ChatGPT-3.5’s responses to abortion questions were “acceptable.”

From Salon Aug. 19, 2026

They respond, but I do not register those responses.

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga




Vocabulary lists containing response


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