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Respondent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’ฌ
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respondent

[rษชหˆspษ’ndษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

survey

A person who responds to a survey or questionnaire, especially in a research study.

Synonyms

answerer, participant, responder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
respondent

This word is typically used in formal or official situations, especially in surveys, legal cases, or academic research. It refers to someone who provides answers or feedback in response to questions.

  • The respondent completed the survey in under ten minutes.
  • In the court case, the respondent must provide a testimony.
participant

This word is used when referring to someone who takes part in an activity, event, or study. It doesn't specifically highlight the act of answering but emphasizes involvement.

  • Each participant in the workshop received a certificate.
  • The study had over 500 participants from various backgrounds.
answerer

This term is less formal than 'respondent' and can be used in casual or general situations where someone provides an answer to a question or solves a problem.

  • The answerer of the trivia question won a prize.
  • During the Q&A session, many answerers shared their insights.
responder

Typically used in scenarios where immediate or active feedback or reaction is required, such as in emergencies or customer service. It can have a slight urgency or importance associated with it.

  • First responders arrived at the scene within minutes.
  • The customer service team needs prompt responders to handle complaints.

Examples of usage

  • The respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 5.
  • The survey had a high response rate, with over 90% of the respondents completing it.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

A person who is called upon to answer a legal proceeding, such as a defendant in a court case.

Synonyms

accused, defendant, opponent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
respondent

Since this word was repeated, its explanation and examples have already been provided in the first entry.

  • The respondent denied all allegations made by the petitioner.
  • Over 1,000 respondents participated in the survey.
defendant

Used in both criminal and civil legal cases, it refers to the person being sued or charged with a crime. It is a neutral term without negative connotations.

  • The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
  • In the civil lawsuit, the defendant was asked to pay damages.
accused

Primarily used in criminal law, it refers to a person who is charged with a crime. This term often carries a negative connotation, as it implies that the person is under suspicion or has been formally charged.

  • The accused was brought before the court for a hearing.
  • She stood by the accused, firmly believing in his innocence.
opponent

This word refers to someone who is competing against or disagreeing with someone else in a non-legal context, such as in sports, debates, or any form of competition. It does not have a legal connotation.

  • Her opponent in the tennis match was very skilled.
  • During the debate, his opponent raised several important points.

Examples of usage

  • The respondent pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
  • The respondent was required to appear in court for the hearing.
Context #3 | Verb

formal

To reply or answer something, especially in a formal or official capacity.

Synonyms

acknowledge, answer, reply.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
respondent

Used in formal surveys, legal situations, or scientific research to refer to a person who provides information.

  • The respondent completed the survey online.
  • The judge asked the respondent to present their case.
answer

Used in both formal and informal settings to refer to a response to a question, statement, or situation.

  • She gave a detailed answer to the question.
  • I need an answer by tomorrow.
reply

Mostly used in everyday conversation, emails, or text messages when responding to someone.

  • I will reply to your message soon.
  • He didn't reply to my text.
acknowledge

Used when recognizing or admitting something, often in a formal or semi-formal context.

  • Please acknowledge receipt of this email.
  • He refused to acknowledge his mistake.

Examples of usage

  • Please ensure you respond to the email by the end of the day.
  • The company will respond to the allegations made by the competitor.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law

  • In legal settings, the term often refers to the party that is answering a complaint or petition, particularly in court cases.
  • Respondents have rights and obligations in legal disputes, including the right to defend themselves.

Social Science

  • In research surveys, respondents provide essential data and insights that help researchers understand public opinion or trends.
  • The quality of data collected often depends on how well respondents understand the questions being asked.

Technology

  • With the rise of online research tools, the role of respondents has expanded, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to provide feedback through various platforms.
  • Data collection now includes tools like mobile surveys, enabling researchers to reach respondents easily in real-time.

Psychology

  • Respondent behavior is studied in psychology to understand how individuals react to different stimuli, including how questions are framed.
  • The responses given reflect not only knowledge but also biases and cultural influences on the respondent.

Origin of 'respondent'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'respondent' comes from the Latin 'respondere,' which means 'to answer.'
  • This term has been used in English since the late 14th century, originally in legal contexts to refer to a person who answers a legal summons.

The word 'respondent' originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word 'respondent', which is the present participle of 'respondere', meaning 'to respond'. Over time, the term has evolved to be commonly used in survey research and legal contexts to refer to individuals who provide responses or answers to inquiries or proceedings.

See also: autoresponder, respondents, responder, responders, responsive, responsiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,779, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.