1
as in responding
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction
didn't answer right away when the detective asked him where he'd been for the last three hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corresponding
to be in agreement on every point
sorry, I haven't seen anyone answering to that description
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fulfilling
to do what is required by the terms of
I don't have a box cutter as such, but will this knife answer the purpose?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
try to answer this riddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of answering
Officers responded to the couple’s home after several concerned friends and co-workers called police to report that Spencer Tepe, a local dentist, had not shown up for work and Monique Tepe was not answering the phone.
—
Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
There were Miami heroics of receiver Malachi Toney turning a short pass into a 36-yard touchdown for the lead, and Mississippi’s answering heroics of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss throwing a 24-yard touchdown to retake the lead.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
The older brother had come to the house to check on his mother, who was not answering her phone, according to Holland.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Whodunnits aren’t solely about answering a single question.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
With a trailer, new stills and Nolan’s first interview about the film out in the universe, some of his stars are more open to answering questions about the secretive project.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Helen Branswell has a story today answering all your questions on what’s going on.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 6 Jan. 2026
The Statesman is shining a spotlight on this election with news, in-depth enterprise reporting, exclusive watchdog stories, and our Voter Guide Q&As with candidates answering our questions.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 5 Nov. 2025
People are looking to tighten their budgets these days, and Metro by T-Mobile is answering the call.
—PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for answering
Verb
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An analysis by the Police Department from 2015 found that about 70% of ShotSpotter alerts in the coverage area were not accompanied by a 911 call, meaning officers were often responding to gunfire incidents that residents did not report, Becchina said.—
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Auditing two departments Calvo plans to establish a task force to audit Hialeah’s 911 operations, responding tor concerns from dispatchers about understaffing and slow response times.—
Verb
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When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake.—
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To backers of the cuts, the savings reflect state efforts to blunt Colorado’s affordability crisis, especially as home valuations — and corresponding tax bills — skyrocketed following the pandemic.—
Verb
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Following too closely in its protagonist’s footsteps, The Queen of Versailles presents only two options — tough but spiritually fulfilling material deprivation or unconstrained acquisitiveness.—
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Being able to be with one of the biggest artists Puerto Rico has ever had in such a special month dedicated only to us is fulfilling to the heart.—
Verb
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By solving the problem of high credit card APRs, a rate cap could very well end up hurting those it was intended to help.—
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This makes solving the puzzle considerably more difficult.—
Verb
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The biggest update is to how Gemini will assist users with writing and replying to messages.—
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Feedback is welcome and can be provided by simply replying to the daily email itself.—
Verb
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The winners will be announced on February 16 at a gala event at the historic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, coinciding with the foundation’s think-tank event, The World Forum on the Future of Democracy, AI/Tech and Humankind.—
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Reader's Digest named Route 66 one of the best places to travel in 2026, coinciding with the highway's centennial.—
Verb
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Bure is keeping her faith — and her Christmas crown — shining bright.—
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Martin legitimately pinned the Saints’ offense on almost every drive in the first half, keeping the game close, even with New Orleans leading at halftime.—
Verb
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But tensions between the factions and the two Gulf nations appear to be unraveling the coalition, threatening to throw them into outright conflict and further tear apart the Arab world’s poorest country.—
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Mary Bronstein’s film stars Rose Byrne as a Long Island mom unraveling while dealing with her daughter’s mysterious stomach ailment.—
Cite this Entry
“Answering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answering. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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