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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Musk and Ramaswamy provided answers to some of those questions in their opinion piece, arguing that President-elect Donald Trump has the authority to cut spending authorized by Congress. —

Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2024 Well, given the status of the current awards race, the answer is half of Hollywood. —

EW.com, 21 Nov. 2024

Verb

Mayorkas must face the American people and answer for his historic failures that allowed for two assassination attempts on @realDonaldTrump & created a wide open border with terrorists, criminals & deadly drugs like fentanyl pouring into our communities. —

Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 Nix, a captain and budding leader, on Wednesday took a long, deep breath before answering a question about Forsyth and his demeanor since Sunday. —

Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for answer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer

Noun

Putin's statements came after Russia fired an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro in response to Kyiv's long-range missile attacks earlier this week.

Brittney Melton, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024
Large Chinese banks tightened transactions with Russia in response to sanctions pressures, but at the same time numerous Chinese cut-outs and smaller banks became involved in creating ways to end-run them.

Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024