answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.
had answers to all their questions
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
reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.
a point-by-point reply to the accusation
rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.
a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument
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
Noun I asked him a simple question and he gave me a long and confusing answer. I didn't believe her answer. They wouldn't give me a straight answer to my question. I didn't know the right answer. That is the wrong answer. Do you know the answer to this question? He knew the answers to only 3 of the 10 questions. The answers are listed in the back of the book. Verb She answered all my questions. He answered only three of the test questions correctly. When the police asked him his name, he refused to answer. When I ask you a question I expect you to answer me! Answer me this: where have you put my money? I sent her a letter asking for her help, but she never answered. The phone rang repeatedly, but no one answered. Would somebody please answer the phone? I knocked on the door but no one answered. No one answered the door. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The answer isn’t in the weight room or the meeting room.oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2022 There’s probably not a team on the schedule where that answer is yes, but that’s more emphasized when talking about a team whose quarterback is getting his first start and his only elite weapon is a tight end. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022 And to me, the answer to that is that the trend in the industry and in the market – the market forces at work – are dictating the changes in our lives and in our businesses.San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 The short answer is no, according to Dr. Schaffner. Julia Ries, SELF, 29 Aug. 2022 The short answer is no, and certainly not the kind of vaccine exclusively used in the U.S. for the past two decades. Peter Weber, The Week, 20 Aug. 2022 The short answer is that he's been charged with similar crimes in separate cases in two federal courts and in two state courts. Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2022 The commanding general of U.S. Space Command gave that neutral answer to a Huntsville space and missile defense symposium Monday when asked about the command’s headquarters moving to the city. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 9 Aug. 2022 The short answer is because the nation’s public health infrastructure has been underfunded for decades. Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2022
Verb
Alabama is not known to shy away from big games, while the Longhorns still have a lot of questions to answer. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Even as Gardner is preparing for his rookie season with the New York Jets and Bryant is primed to make his regular-season debut with the Seattle Seahawks, the two still find time to answer Sheppard's phone calls and dispense advice. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2022 Nevertheless, the question—long before Aaron asked it of me that night in Café Loup—haunted me because, paradoxically, the only true way to answer in the affirmative is to be incapable of answering at all. Ben Lerner, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Public-health experts have questions to answer about their failures. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Despite returning several pieces from last year's squad, Wallace understands titles aren't won in August and the Tigers have several questions to answer about themselves before anyone looks ahead to the postseason.The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2022 While considering the winning new Hulu comedy This Fool, the hardest question to answer is this: Who is the titular fool? Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2022 That’s kind of a roundabout way to answer your question. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2022 These are the questions nobody in San Francisco can answer, though many have been trying amid a lack of government transparency. Heather Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Old English andswaru (akin to Old Norse andsvar answer); akin to Old English and- against, swerian to swear — more at ante-
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a