respondent
gb/ɹɪspˈɑndənt/ us/ɹɪspˈɑndənt/
B2
English
~ 6700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
person who answers survey questions
A person who answers questions in a survey, poll, or interview.
Usage pattern:
a respondent in [a survey/poll/study]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *answerer* instead of *respondent* in formal writing about surveys. *Answerer* is grammatically possible but sounds unusual and informal in this context; *respondent* is the standard term in research and news reports.
Synonyms
participant (More general; can be anyone taking part in a study or activity, not only someone who answers questions.)
Antonyms
researcher (Names the person who asks and designs the questions, the opposite role to the respondent.)
Collocations
survey respondent
|poll respondent
|questionnaire respondent
|study respondent
|interview respondent
Themes
research
|media
|statistics
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Over 2,000 respondents completed the online survey about housing costs.
- Most respondents said they checked social media several times a day.
- The researchers removed incomplete answers from the final pool of respondents.
- Only 10 percent of respondents supported the new tax proposal.
- Each respondent was given a small gift card for taking part in the study.
Learner examples
- One hundred respondents answered the questions.
- Most respondents said they were happy with the service.
- Every respondent filled in an online form.
- The company sent an email to each respondent.
- Respondents could stop the survey at any time.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
party answering a legal claim
In law, the person or group that must answer a claim or appeal made by another person or group.
Usage pattern:
the respondent in [a case/appeal/proceeding]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *respondent* is just a more formal word for *person who answers* in any situation. In legal texts, however, *respondent* has a specific role and should not be used for ordinary situations like answering an email or phone call.
Synonyms
defendant (Often used in civil and criminal cases; *respondent* is especially common in appeals, tribunals, and some non-criminal proceedings.)
Antonyms
appellant (The party who brings an appeal, opposite to the respondent who answers that appeal.)
Collocations
the respondent argued
|appellant and respondent
|counsel for the respondent
|named as respondent
|respondent's submissions
Themes
law
|government
|business
|communication
Examples
- The respondent failed to file a response within the required time.
- In this appeal, the respondent is the government agency that denied the licence.
- Counsel for the respondent argued that the lower court’s decision should be upheld.
- The tribunal ordered the respondent to pay compensation to the claimant.
- Both the appellant and the respondent will present written submissions before the hearing.
Learner examples
- The respondent did not agree with the claim.
- In this case, the company is the respondent.
- The judge asked the respondent to speak.
- The respondent sent a letter to the court.
- The appellant and the respondent met in court.
Grammar
Dictionary form
respondent
IPA
GB/ɹɪspˈɑndənt/
US/ɹɪspˈɑndənt/
Syllables & stress
re - spond - ent (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (spond)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: respondent
- Plural: respondents
Word family
Forms
respondents
noun
Core family
Related words
responsiveness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unresponsive
adjective
nonresponse
noun
Expressions
appellant and respondent
1/əpˈɛlənt ˈænd ɹɪspˈɑndənt/
fixed phrase
technical
two parties in an appeal case
The two sides in an appeal: the person or group who appeals and the person or group who answers the appeal.
Examples
- The court heard arguments from both the appellant and respondent.
- Costs were awarded against the appellant and respondent in equal shares.
survey respondent
1/sˈɚvˌeɪ ɹɪspˈɑndənt/
fixed phrase
person answering a specific survey
A person who answers the questions in a given survey.
Examples
- Each survey respondent received a small payment for their time.
- Survey respondents were asked about their travel habits.
the respondent submits that
1/ðə ɹɪspˈɑndənt sʌbmˈɪts ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
technical
formal start to respondent's argument
A very formal way for the responding side in a legal case to say, "We argue that..."
Examples
- The respondent submits that the appeal should be dismissed.
- In summary, the respondent submits that the lower court made no error.