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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:

Shein said it is pursuing a range of measures in response to trade barriers in the U.S. and the EU, including raising product prices to offset higher costs.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 27, 2026

Ahmed hailed their "amazing" response and offered his thanks to Lowe, who he credited with preventing further deaths.

From BBC Jul. 27, 2026

There’s a balance every politician must strike: retaining one’s authenticity while remaining open to recalibrating policy positions in response to new evidence or simply evolving, or to match shifts in the public mood.

From Salon Jul. 27, 2026

In every previous downturn of Hunt’s career, the response was to buy the bond.

From MarketWatch Jul. 27, 2026

Without waiting for a response, Oliver—or maybe Nash—grabs the half-inflated toy and gallops back toward the frogs.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Overall, the pattern of responses from advisers paints a picture of frothy optimism at a high level, coupled with a fundamental concern about the implications of policy on financial security.

From MarketWatch Jul. 27, 2026

Whenever someone asks whether they should hire a financial adviser, I often see responses like, “Don’t do it. You’re just giving away your money.”

From MarketWatch Jul. 25, 2026

The researchers also did not observe the nausea-related responses or major muscle loss associated with some existing weight loss treatments.

From Science Daily Jul. 24, 2026

These should help AI tools like its Gemini chatbot generate quicker responses and conserve computing resources.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 23, 2026

He gave Rigo’s address for replies, and there were some responses, but none met his perfectionist standards, and ultimately, he nixed them all.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady




Vocabulary lists containing response


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