reply

1 of 2

verb

re·ply ri-ˈplī

replied; replying

Synonyms of reply next

intransitive verb

: to respond in words or writing

: echo, resound

: to make a legal replication

: to do something in response

specifically : to return gunfire or an attack

transitive verb

: to give as an answer

replier

ri-ˈplī(-ə)r

noun

2 of 2

noun

plural replies

: something said, written, or done in answer or response

: replication sense 1b(2)

Choose the Right Synonym for reply

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort 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

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

reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

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 of reply in a Sentence

Verb I called out to them, but no one replied. He didn't reply to her greeting. The company has replied to the recent protests by posting an ad in the local newspaper. She replied to the accusation with a stack of documents proving her innocence. He replied politely that he felt a little better. Noun A timely reply will be appreciated. The invitations have been sent, but we haven't received any replies yet. I asked her what was wrong. In reply, she handed me a letter. He wrote a brief note in reply to her letter.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Verb

Tesla typically does not respond to requests for comment, and did not reply to inquiries for this story. —

Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024 The writer and his new team had a three-hour window in which to reply. —

Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024

Noun

Is Up for Grabs at $1.85 Million Comments Loading comments... Cancel reply 672 Wine Club Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently. —

Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024 For starters, users can choose in their settings menu whether to see replies, reposts, or quote posts in their feed. —

Kelvin Chan, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reply

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English replien "to fold back, oppose, repeat, respond verbally, deny, answer a legal charge," borrowed from Anglo-French replier, reploier "to bend back, respond, answer, make a replication," in part continuing continental Old & Middle French repleier, reploier "to refold (something) unfolded," replié "something folded back" (from re- re- + plier "to fold, bend"), in part going back to Latin replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, unroll (a papyrus book), go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly, make a replication" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at ply entry 3, replicate entry 1

Note: Note that continental Old and Middle French repleier and its variants (continued by modern French replier) refer only to literal folding and lack the metaphoric senses of Latin and Late Latin replicāre. This has led some references (Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, Trésor de la langue française) to treat repleier as a new formation from re- and plier. The Anglo-French verb, however, continues extended senses of Latin replicāre, in particular the legal sense, and suggests that it is either a direct descendant of replicāre or was formed as its equivalent on the model of other verbs ending in -plier (compare etymologies of apply, imply). Anglo-French repliquer was borrowed directly from the Latin verb (with correspondents in Old and Middle French; compare Modern French répliquer) and was apparently not taken up by Middle English.

Noun

derivative of reply entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of reply was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reply.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reply. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

1 of 2 verb

re·ply ri-ˈplī

replied; replying

: to respond in words or writing

reply to a letter

: to do something in response

especially : to return gunfire or an attack

: to give as an answer

replied not a word

replier

-ˈplī(-ə)r

noun

2 of 2 noun

plural replies

: something said, written, or done in answer or response

Legal Definition

noun

re·ply

: a plaintiff's or complainant's response to a plea, allegation, or counterclaim in the defendant's answer

Last Updated: 28 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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reply

verb

noun

Synonyms

Examples of reply in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near reply

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition