ANSWER Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'answer' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of answer are rejoinder , reply , response , and retort . While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need. // had answers to all their questions

Q: Where would 'rejoinder' be a reasonable alternative to 'answer'?

The synonyms rejoinder and answer are sometimes interchangeable, but rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection. // a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Q: When would 'reply' be a good substitute for 'answer'?

The meanings of reply and answer largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised. // a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Q: When might 'response' be a better fit than 'answer'?

In some situations, the words response and answer are roughly equivalent. However, response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus. // a response to the call for recruits

Q: In what contexts can 'retort' take the place of 'answer'?

While the synonyms retort and answer are close in meaning, retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack. // she made a cutting retort to her critics

answer 1 of 2

noun

ˈan(t)-sər

Definition of answer next

as in response

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question the standard answer of "Fine, thank you" when asked, "How are you?"

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Relevance

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as in result

something attained by mental effort and especially by computation the answers to the odd-numbered problems are at the back of the book

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as in reaction

action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior a cold stare was her withering answer to that gratuitous insult

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

answer

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verb

as in to respond

to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction didn't answer right away when the detective asked him where he'd been for the last three hours

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to correspond

to be in agreement on every point sorry, I haven't seen anyone answering to that description

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fulfil

to do what is required by the terms of I don't have a box cutter as such, but will this knife answer the purpose?

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as in to solve

to find an answer for through reasoning try to answer this riddle

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun answer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of answer are rejoinder, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

Where would rejoinder be a reasonable alternative to answer?

The synonyms rejoinder and answer are sometimes interchangeable, but rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When would reply be a good substitute for answer?

The meanings of reply and answer largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When might response be a better fit than answer?

In some situations, the words response and answer are roughly equivalent. However, response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

In what contexts can retort take the place of answer?

While the synonyms retort and answer are close in meaning, retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of answer

Noun

If the answer is yes, NPR wants to hear your stories. —

Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024 The short answer is quite a bit, but not nearly enough. —

Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

Verb

That question and the desire to answer it is behind the complaint recently filed with the State Auditor. —

Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 Company leaders fretted about how the revelation from NBC News would look to investors and debated how or even whether to answer, according to internal emails received through a public records request. —

Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for answer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer

Noun

The stock market swooned Wednesday in response to a piece of news that might not seem all that dire on first read: The Federal Reserve could cut interest rates fewer times than experts had predicted, in 2025.

Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
In response to the outcry, Citi Bike changed its A.P.I. so the data was no longer accessible in real time.

Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024