Response vs. Reply: Difference and Comparison
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Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 25, 2023
A "response" is a general reaction or answer to a situation or question, while a "reply" is a direct return of words or actions to a specific statement or query.
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Difference Between Response and Reply
"Response" and "reply" are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they maintain distinct nuances in certain contexts. A response encompasses a broader spectrum of reactions or answers to a given situation, stimuli, or question. It can be verbal, non-verbal, or even physical. For instance, a response to a medication might include side effects, while a response to a stimulus could be a reflex action.
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Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
Contrarily, "reply" zeroes in on a more direct and specific return to a given statement or query. Typically verbal or written, replies are a subset of responses, usually mirroring a direct conversation or correspondence. If someone sends an email, the recipient's return email is a reply. But if that email also evokes an emotional reaction or prompts further actions, those are broader responses.
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Muazma Batool
Sep 25, 2023
A clear distinction between "response" and "reply" is in their application and depth. While every reply is essentially a response, not every response qualifies as a reply. For example, if a person is asked how they are doing, a nod might be a response, but it's not a reply. A verbal "I'm good" would serve as both a response and a reply.
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Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
Furthermore, "response" can have a formal or technical connotation in some sectors. In medical or scientific fields, "response" might denote a particular outcome after exposure to specific conditions or treatments. In contrast, "reply" remains anchored in the realm of direct communication, be it verbal or written.
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Olivia
Sep 25, 2023
Response vs. Reply Comparison Chart
Depth
Encompasses various reactions to stimuli or situations
Direct and often concise
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Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
Response vs. Reply Definitions
◉Response
An answer to a question or request.
His response to the query was detailed.
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Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
◉Response
A reaction to a specific situation or stimulus.
Her response to the surprise was pure joy.
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Muazma Batool
Sep 25, 2023
◉Response
A verbal or non-verbal acknowledgment.
His immediate response was a nod.
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Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
◉Reply
To act in reaction or as a response
The enemy's bigs guns replied to the salvo.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
To say or give as an answer
I replied that I was unable to help them.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
A reaction, as that of an organism or a mechanism, to a specific stimulus
a microphone's response to certain frequencies.
response by the immune system to a pathogen.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
A word or a series of words spoken or written in reaction, as to a question or request.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
(Ecclesiastical) Something that is spoken or sung by a congregation or choir in answer to the officiating minister or priest.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
(Law) A plaintiff's response to the defendant's answer or plea, especially with regard to counterclaims made by the defendant.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
An answer or reply, or something in the nature of an answer or reply.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
To give a written or spoken response, especially to a question, request, accusation or criticism; to answer.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
The act of responding or replying; reply: as, to speak in response to a question.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
(intransitive) To act or gesture in response.
Joanne replied to Pete's insult with a slap to his face.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
(liturgics) A verse, sentence, phrase, or word said or sung by the choir or congregation in sequence or reply to the priest or officiant.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
(liturgics) A versicle or anthem said or sung during or after a lection; a respond or responsory.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
An online advertising performance metric representing one click-through from an online ad to its destination URL.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
A document written by a party specifically replying to a responsive declaration and in some cases an answer.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
To make a return in words or writing; to respond; to answer.
O man, who art thou that repliest against God?
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
a result;
this situation developed in response to events in Africa
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
Figuratively, to do something in return for something done; as, to reply to a signal; to reply to the fire of a battery.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some foregoing stimulus or agent;
a bad reaction to the medicine
his responses have slowed with age
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
To return for an answer.
Lords, vouchsafeTo give me hearing what I shall reply.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made in reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation;
I waited several days for his answer
he wrote replies to several of his critics
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
That which is said, written, or done in answer to what is said, written, or done by another; an answer; a response.
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
the manner in which something is greeted;
she did not expect the cold reception she received from her superiors
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made in reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation;
I waited several days for his answer
he wrote replies to several of his critics
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
a phrase recited or sung by the congregation following a versicle by the priest or minister
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange;
he growled his reply
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange;
he growled his reply
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Reply
reply or respond to;
She didn't want to answer
answer the question
We answered that we would accept the invitation
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Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Response
A result due to certain conditions or treatments.
The patient showed a positive response to the medication.
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Nolan
Sep 25, 2023
◉Reply
A verbal or written return to a statement or question.
She sent a reply to the invitation.
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Leo
Sep 25, 2023
◉Reply
An answer to a specific query.
The customer service provided a prompt reply.
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Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
◉Reply
An immediate reaction to a comment.
Her witty reply had everyone laughing.
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Muazma Batool
Sep 25, 2023
Response vs. Reply Frequently Asked Questions
What is a broad reaction to a situation called?
A broad reaction to a situation is called a response.
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Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
Can a nod be considered a reply?
A nod is a type of response, but without verbal or written affirmation, it isn't typically considered a reply.
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Kaitlyn
Sep 25, 2023
Which term has a more technical connotation in medical contexts?
"Response" has a more technical connotation in medical contexts, denoting outcomes or reactions to treatments.
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Kaitlyn
Sep 25, 2023
How do you term a direct answer to an email?
A direct answer to an email is termed a reply.
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Muazma Batool
Sep 25, 2023
How might a company gauge its website's efficiency?
A company might gauge its website's efficiency by checking the server's response time.
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Leo
Sep 25, 2023
What term would be apt for a return message in a chat conversation?
In a chat conversation, a return message would aptly be termed a "reply."
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Muneeza Rehman
Sep 25, 2023
In what scenario would "response" and "reply" be interchangeable?
In casual communication, when referring to answering a question or returning a message, "response" and "reply" can be used interchangeably.
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Jonathan
Sep 25, 2023
Is "reply" restricted to verbal or written forms?
Predominantly, a reply is verbal or written, but it can also be a direct non-verbal gesture in direct correspondence to a statement.
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Levi
Sep 25, 2023
Can emotions be termed replies?
Emotions are broader reactions and are better termed as "responses" rather than direct "replies."
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Henry
Sep 25, 2023
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