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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:

In response, I like to give two pieces of advice.

From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026

"They emit this very annoying buzz. It triggers my fight or flight response," says the 44-year-old administrative assistant.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

A single sauna session may trigger a surprising response in the immune system.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026

In response, they received a message asking: “What can you pay daily instead.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

“It’s nice to meet you, Candace,” I reply, not sure what the right response should be.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Understanding those relationships may reveal whether the cells actively contribute to resilience and how their protective responses might work.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026

They also offered a lens for examining institutional responses at Cornell University, the University of Chicago and beyond.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026

Anthropic said AI models can show “self-preserving” qualities to avoid being shut down and can generate responses that resemble “blackmail” in an effort to persuade humans to allow them to continue operating.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

People who study human responses to risks note that the ones that announce themselves loudly tend to get the most attention.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

In a thick drawl, more ponderous than his low mass responses, the priest spoke the Latin phrases with a sonorous, dramatic discernment.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy


Vocabulary lists containing response

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