respond
Americanverb (used without object)
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to reply or answer in words.
to respond briefly to a question.
- Synonyms:
- rejoin
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to make a return by some action as if in answer.
to respond generously to a charity drive.
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to react favorably.
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Physiology. to exhibit some action or effect as if in answer; react.
Nerves respond to a stimulus.
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to correspond (usually followed byto ).
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Bridge. to make a response.
verb (used with object)
noun
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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.
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Ecclesiastical.
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a short anthem chanted at intervals during the reading of a lection.
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verb
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to state or utter (something) in reply
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(intr) to act in reply; react
to respond by issuing an invitation
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to react favourably
this patient will respond to treatment
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an archaic word for correspond
noun
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architect a pilaster or an engaged column that supports an arch or a lintel
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Christianity a choral anthem chanted in response to a lesson read at a church service
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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respondsimple
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respondssimple
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have respondedperfect
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has respondedperfect
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am respondingprogressive
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are respondingprogressive
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is respondingprogressive
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have been respondingperfect progressive
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has been respondingperfect progressive
Past
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respondedsimple
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had respondedperfect
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was respondingprogressive
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were respondingprogressive
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had been respondingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of respond
First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the verb) from Latin respondēre “to promise in return, reply, answer,” from re- re- + spondēre “to pledge, promise”; (for the noun) Middle English: “responsory,” from Old French, derivative of respondre “to reply,” from Latin respondēre
Explanation
Invited to a great party? You might respond by shouting "Hooray!" and then letting your friend know you'll be there. To respond is to react or reply. Fireman, police, and EMTs are known as first responders. This is because they are the first people to respond to an emergency. If you get into an accident, an EMT might check your reflexes to see how they respond.
Vocabulary lists containing respond
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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"My Favorite Chaperone," Vocabulary from the short story
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Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 81-90
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Shein didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Gray said the Scottish government was investing £1.7bn for policing this year and that police had all the resources they needed to respond to the incident and other major events.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
If the other hyperscalers also announce higher capital spending while free cash flow continues to weaken, investors may respond similarly.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
By sending more of these cells into circulation, the body may improve immune surveillance and strengthen its ability to respond to possible threats.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
Jack started to respond, but before he could, the wolf leapt forward, sending them all airborne.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
“Jean. I like Jean,” he responds, “she’s the villain but, like, there’s a reason to her madness.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
In other words, dreams may provide clues about how the mind responds to major changes over time.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026
Like Cude, Delorme finds that AI responds reasonably well to precise questions with clear frameworks.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
The company last year launched “AI Mode,” which searches and responds to users like a chatbot and with fewer links.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
“Sir,” Captain Smith responds, and stands straight and strong.
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
Despite repeated attempts to contact Jared Leto, he has not responded to the allegations put to him by the BBC.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
European football's governing body UEFA, which has been critical of Infantino, also responded.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
He says he received letters from Hana for a year, but never responded to them.
From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026
The company has responded by increasing its diversification efforts.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Sensing that Adams was in mid-explosion, Jefferson responded at length.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Of those responding to the survey, 76% reported an increase in the number of flies; 35% noticed an increase in the number of rodents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Many of these funds churned their portfolios too much, responding to short-term signals instead of longer-term trends, he adds.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
“We are responding with urgency by strengthening our companion animal business, reinforcing our value position and improving productivity across the business,” Lawton said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
He briefly smiled at members of his defence team before quietly responding to the judge with "Good morning, Your Honour", and "Yes, Your Honour".
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Colin ignored her, responding in English to Hassan.
From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
