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1
as in to respond
to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence) replied to the news that she had won the scholarship by jumping around the room and cheering

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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reply

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun reply differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reply are answer, rejoinder, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Where would answer be a reasonable alternative to reply?

Although the words answer and reply have much in common, answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

When can rejoinder be used instead of reply?

The meanings of rejoinder and reply largely overlap; however, rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When is response a more appropriate choice than reply?

The words response and reply can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When would retort be a good substitute for reply?

In some situations, the words retort and reply are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Example 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 reply
Verb
Ali questioned how such a review could occur so quickly, to which the government replied that the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order resulted in a shift in resources to get the job done more quickly. Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025 Many have replied with suggestions for what the creator could do with the chicken-less nuggets. Jordan Greene, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
The company Verizon mentioned as running the current FAA equipment, and the FAA, did not have an immediate reply to requests for reaction to the Verizon statement. Chris Isidore, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025 Star Moves: Selena Gomez and John Legend Pick Up New Digs, Keke Palmer Sheds Her Starter Home Comments Loading comments... Cancel reply 672 Wine Club Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reply
Verb
  • His remains were discovered in the debris after officers responded to the explosion around 4:52 p.m. Feb. 15 in the 2200 block of Central Avenue, police said.
    Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Many of the owners who responded said the increases were forcing them to consider relocating.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Fashion Nova, which did not respond to a request for comment, will have the chance to answer the complaint and rebut the accusations.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The reaction to Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s official Democratic response to President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress this week provides some helpful insight into the major question her party has to answer these days: Is the Blue Team able to accommodate its new coalition?
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • However, as applications grow in complexity, even small inefficiencies can lead to slow response times, downtime and a frustrating user experience.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The student group launched its sit-in around 1 p.m. Wednesday in response to the expulsions of student protesters and other recent actions taken by school officials.
    Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • A lot has to happen before the environmental board would see a plan to react to, since the redevelopment and plan commissions, and the city council, would have to rezone the property.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • On Tuesday's episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the reality star, 56, reacted to the viral images of her estranged husband, 54, kissing an unknown woman in the Mykonos airport going public.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The model essentially told me that this plan has, in fact, brought about jealous reactions abroad.
    John Werner, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • But, when a second death beset Lilian’s life, Dr. Fenton’s reaction took her by surprise.
    Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reply. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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