List of 426 Sets of Synonyms - How they Differ - Total of 2307 Words - 13

SYNONYMS: answer, respond, reply, retort.
These verbs relate to action taken in return to a stimulus.

Answer, respond, and reply, the most general, all mean to speak, write, or act in response: the attempt to answer questions, without first discovering precisely what question it is which you desire to answer. You didn't really expect the President to respond personally to your letter, did you? The opposing team scored three runs; the home team replied with two of their own.
Respond also denotes a reaction to something that stimulates one to a course of action, often voluntary (A bystander responded immediately to the victim's obvious need for help), or to an involuntary emotional response (She responded in spite of herself to the antics of the puppy).
To retort is to answer verbally in a quick, caustic, or witty manner: You don't need to worry about appearing too intelligent, retorted his opponent.