REPLY Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

reply 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈplī

Definition of reply

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to answer

to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction please reply to my question at your earliest convenience

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2 of 2

noun

as in response

action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior decided the best reply to a wrongful discharge from employment was a lawsuit claiming discrimination

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in answer

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question I look forward to your reply to my request

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The 79-year-old Hollywood legend stood up for Kardashian, 45, in response to an internet troll, who replied to Close posting a candid photo from the show’s season 2 set over the weekend. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 Its spacious 46mm OLED screen makes checking class reminders, replying to messages, and viewing turn-by-turn directions effortless without taking your phone out. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

Once connected, ChatGPT can pull up recent conversations, answer questions about what's in them, and compose and send replies as the user. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The judge also set a briefing schedule for next month, with the FCC’s defense due September 3, ABC’s reply on September 17 and the agency’s response by September 24. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reply

Verb

Mamdani opened the news conference by expressing his condolences to the victims and their families and thanking the officers who responded.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Two people were stabbed, one fatally, near Times Square on Monday afternoon, with responding authorities shooting and killing the female suspect, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of respond

Verb

Itauma had become a shell of the heavyweight who’d answered the opening bell with such vim and vigour.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Department representatives met with city council members during weekly budget hearings to present in-depth budget reports and answer questions from councilors.

— Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of answer

Noun

One of the more surreal responses to that experience is applause, which ripples through the audience of Paranormal Activity a beat after all the major scares, like rain settling in after a peal of thunder.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
MyStarChain will present its blockchain voting platform MyStarPick, and HiStranger will introduce Insight Flow, a tool that reads biosignals to gauge audience emotional response.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of response

Noun

Greening is a natural reaction—not a sign of rot or spoilage in the traditional sense.

— Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
This reaction was triggered by Kiffin, who had planned to sign tight end Dae’Quan Wright after the Cleveland Browns released him during the preseason.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of reaction

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replumbs

replying

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“Reply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reply. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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