respond

Definition of respondnext
1
as in to react
to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence) doctors studying how the brain responds to pain

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2
as in to reply
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction the students energetically participated in the discussion, responding to the teacher's questions and comments with alacrity and enthusiasm

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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 respond Peck said officials with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the scene because of the amount of fluids that leaked during the collisions and a possible diesel fuel leak involving the tractor-trailer. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 This means your brain may take longer to take in, interpret, and respond to new information. Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026 The survey also found that 22% had reached out or responded to someone on LinkedIn with romantic intent, while 12% had formed a romantic relationship that originated on LinkedIn. Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The corrections department did not respond to questions about conditions within the prison. Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respond
Recent Examples of Synonyms for respond
Verb
  • Families react The deaths of the children sent a wave of shock and grief across the country.
    CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The judges react His arguments prompted questions — and apparent skepticism — from several justices.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Draft the note, confirm the plan, and pause before replying if emotions rise.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Representatives for Express Scripts and Optum RX did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
    Justin Papp, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

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

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