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respond Meaning & Definition

ri-ˈspänd

What Does Respond Mean?

Respond is a verb that means to say something in return. It is also used to mean to react in response. As a noun, it means an engaged pillar supporting an arch or closing a colonnade or arcade.

Respond: Key Facts

Part of speechverb, noun
Pronunciation/ri-ˈspänd/
Syllables2
Synonymsanswer, reply and react
Antonymsact, behave and affect
Pluralresponds
Verb formsresponds, responding, responded

Respond Definition (Verb)

  1. to say something in return : make an answer

    respond to criticism / They responded to my question with an emphatic yes.

  2. to react in response

    responded to a call for help

  3. to have a particular reaction

    Most readers responded enthusiastically to the book.

  4. to show favorable reaction

    respond to surgery

  5. to be answerable

    respond in damages

  6. reply

Respond as a Noun

  1. an engaged pillar supporting an arch or closing a colonnade or arcade

Synonyms of Respond

Respond synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Respond

Respond in a Sentence

to respond to a question or an argument

The prisoner was held to respond the judgment of the court.

respond to criticism

They responded to my question with an emphatic yes.

responded to a call for help

Most readers responded enthusiastically to the book.

respond to surgery

respond in damages

doctors studying how the brain responds to pain

the students energetically participated in the discussion, responding to the teacher's questions and comments with alacrity and enthusiasm

respond to criticism / They responded to my question with an emphatic yes.

Word Forms & Grammar

re·spond·ed

re·spond·ing

re·sponds

re·spond·er noun

respond

responded

responder

responders

responding

responds

respond (third-person singular simple present responds, present participle responding, simple past and past participle responded)

respond (plural responds)

Words That Rhyme With Respond

Origin of Respond

Origin 1: alteration of Middle English respounden, from Anglo-French respundre, from Latin respondēre to promise in return, answer, from re- + spondēre to promise spouse

Origin 2: Middle English respounde, literally, reply, from Anglo-French respuns, respunt response

Origin 3: From Middle English respounden, from Old French respondre, from Late Latin respondō, from Latin respondeō. Cf. Modern French répondre.

First Known Use

1572i

15th century

Respond Pronunciation

You say respond as /ri-ˈspänd/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (spänd).

Quick Answers About Respond

Is respond a verb or a noun?

Respond is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.

What is another word for respond?

Close synonyms of respond are answer, reply and react. See the full list of respond synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of respond?

The opposite of respond can be expressed with words like act, behave, affect and cause.

What is the plural of respond?

The plural of respond is responds.

What is the past tense of respond?

The past tense of respond is responded. The present participle is responding.

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