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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:

Yet he sees buying in 30-year Treasurys as essentially a bet on a “skinny” fiscal response when the next recession hits, given concerns about inflation and the deficit that emerged out of the pandemic response.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026

In response, Congress established the current system, routing most disputes through the VA and its specialized appellate courts.

From Slate ● Oct. 19, 2026

Select a response to see where the economists landed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

Southwark Crown Court heard that over the following days, he made a series of posts on his X account in response.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

I looked hard at the three of them standing there waiting for my response.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

The timing of the survey, with most responses collected before a breakdown in U.S.-Canada trade ties, makes it difficult to “glean clear signals from this report,” said Shelly Kaushik, economist at BMO Capital Markets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

What it too often comes up against are parasocial responses, antagonism, doxing, or a preciousness around the critique, particularly at a time when Hollywood has rolled back on Black storytelling.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026

Griggs was featured in Xia’s award-winning book “California Against the Sea: Visions for Our Vanishing Coastline,” which explores the impact of sea level rise and community responses that range from denial to respectful intervention.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

"Stress responses are fundamentally adaptive and can help you form strong memories -- but this is specific to experiences that you find to be emotionally intense or meaningful," Goldfarb said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

It was such an unthinkable prospect that the only responses I could imagine him having were melodramatic and improbable.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt


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