answer, respond, reply, retort, react, return

answer
verb
to acknowledge a question, request, letter, and so on, using actions, words, or in writing （书面或口头）答复
// She answered the question with a shake of her head. 她摇了摇头，表示对那个问题的回答。
// think carefully before answering 回答前仔细考虑

respond
To respond means to answer, using actions or words（口头或用行动）响应，回应
// People responded generously to the clothing appeal. 人们慷慨地响应要求捐献衣服的呼吁。
// She hasn't yet responded to my letter. 她还没有给我回信。
// My mother responded to my request with a firm no. 母亲对我的要求坚决不答应。

reply
To reply means to give an answer or response in words or writing 回复
// Did you reply to the letter? 你回信了吗？
// The State Department did not immediately reply to a question on whether the United States will pay the outstanding dues. 美国国务院没有立即回答有关美国是否将支付未缴会费的问题。

— Helen Branswell, STAT, "Trump administration submits formal notice of withdrawal from WHO," 7 July 2020

retort

To retort means to give a quick or sharp answer 反驳，回嘴，反击
// When I said that she was late, she retorted by saying that I was lucky she had come at all. 我说她迟到了，她反唇相讥说她能来就算我走运了。

react
To react means to act in answer to something 做出反应
// We all react to danger in different ways. 我们都会对危险做出不同的反应。
// When I told her what happened, she reacted with anger. 当我告诉她发生的事时，她反应很生气。
// I didn't expect her to react that way. 我没想到她会这样反应。

return
To return can mean to answer or retort 回复或顶嘴
// When they tried to make friends she returned by snapping rudely. 他们想同她交朋友，她却粗暴地吼起来作为回复。

contrasting word: question