respond

[ ri-spond ]

/ rɪˈspɒnd /

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See synonyms for: respond / responded / responding on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to reply or answer in words: to respond briefly to a question.

to make a return by some action as if in answer: to respond generously to a charity drive.

to react favorably.

Physiology. to exhibit some action or effect as if in answer; react: Nerves respond to a stimulus.

to correspond (usually followed by to).

Bridge. to make a response.

verb (used with object)

to say in answer; reply.

noun

Architecture. a half pier, pilaster, or the like projecting from a wall as a support for a lintel or an arch, the other side of which is supported on a free-standing pier or column.

Ecclesiastical.

a short anthem chanted at intervals during the reading of a lection.
responsory.
response.

OTHER WORDS FOR respond

1 rejoin.

2 rise, react, reply.

See synonyms for respond on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of respond

1350–1400; (noun) Middle English: responsory <Old French, derivative of respondre to respond <Latin respondēre to promise in return, reply, answer, equivalent to re-re- + spondēre to pledge, promise (see sponsor); (v.) <Latin respondēre

OTHER WORDS FROM respond

o·ver·re·spond, verbun·re·spond·ing, adjective

Words nearby respond

respirometry, respite, respite care, resplendence, resplendent, respond, respondence, respondent, respondent conditioning, responder, Responsa

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use respond in a sentence

That’s the reason that we responded as quickly as we did when we got a letter indicating that there were threats of violence and violence with respect to school officials and school staff.
Our dumbed-down debate over the Justice Department and schools|Aaron Blake|October 27, 2021|Washington Post
That kind of compassion might go a long way toward helping us begin to respond to a hurting world.
In 2015, Let’s Try for More Compassion|Gene Robinson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The group did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
The Monsters Who Screamed for Dead Cops|Jacob Siegel|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Democrats need to respond aggressively to the crony capitalism practiced by many Republicans, particularly regarding Wall Street.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

If you take too long to respond, people will just keep talking and your chance to speak is lost.
‘Game of Thrones’ Interactive FanFiction: Whoops, My Friend Was Speared in the Throat|Alec Kubas-Meyer|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Then they ask questions and they have time for children to be able to respond as well,” Folan added.
The Radio Battle to Educate Ebola’s Kids|Abby Haglage|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"I'm afraid I couldn't quite manage that, my dear boy," your fond parent would respond.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
In the same way the technical form and mechanism of production were presumed to respond to an automatic stimulus.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
The poor marble statue at his feet can no longer respond to the cries of her famishing child.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
Rosa laughingly approved of this decision, for she was like-minded with her mother, but her father did not respond.
The Garret and the Garden|R.M. Ballantyne
She did not respond; she did not attempt to soothe him; if ever looks expressed reproach and aversion, hers did then.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for respond

respond

/ (rɪˈspɒnd) /

verb

to state or utter (something) in reply

(intr) to act in reply; reactto respond by issuing an invitation

(intr foll by to) to react favourablythis patient will respond to treatment

an archaic word for correspond

noun

architect a pilaster or an engaged column that supports an arch or a lintel

Christianity a choral anthem chanted in response to a lesson read at a church service

Derived forms of respond

respondence or respondency, nounresponder, noun

Word Origin for respond

C14: from Old French respondre, from Latin rēspondēre to return like for like, from re- + spondēre to pledge; see spouse, sponsor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

respond

OTHER WORDS FOR respond

Origin of respond

OTHER WORDS FROM respond

Words nearby respond

Words related to respond

How to use respond in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for respond

Derived forms of respond

Word Origin for respond