answering vs respondent

answering is not a noun while respondent is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
answering	No	Yes	No	No
respondent	Yes	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, answering and respondent are synonyms defined as:

answering (noun)	respondent (noun)
	someone who responds
	the codefendant (especially in a divorce proceeding) who is accused of adultery with the corespondent

answering (adjective)	respondent (adjective)
replying	replying