return 1 of 2

1
as in to restore
to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place when I'm done reading a book, I always return it to the very shelf I got it from

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2
as in to yield
to produce as revenue this technology stock is expected to return a healthy profit

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3
as in to respond
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction when I asked him to sit down to dinner, he returned that he would come when he was good and ready

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4
as in to revert
to go back to a previous and usually lower state or level vowed to do anything to keep the recovering alcoholic from returning to his dissolute ways

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

return

2 of 2

noun

1
2
as in revenue
an increase usually measured in money that comes from labor, business, or property if we buy better equipment, we'll be able to make the product faster, thus getting a better return on our investment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in proceeds
the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received the return on each unit sold has increased since we streamlined the production process

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb return contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of return are reciprocate, requite, and retaliate. While all these words mean "to give back usually in kind or in quantity," return implies a paying or giving back.

returned their call
return good for evil

In what contexts can reciprocate take the place of return?

Although the words reciprocate and return have much in common, reciprocate implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received.

reciprocated their hospitality by inviting them for a visit

When is requite a more appropriate choice than return?

In some situations, the words requite and return are roughly equivalent. However, requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently.

requited her love with cold indifference

When is it sensible to use retaliate instead of return?

The synonyms retaliate and return are sometimes interchangeable, but retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully.

the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of return
Verb
Missions have been told to prepare for shutdown despite still returning data, and other programs are being left short-staffed by employees opting to take the DRP, leaving many in irreparable positions even if funding is restored. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Though moviegoers eventually began to return and concerts were resurrected, the change didn’t happen fast enough, Alvis said. Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
Taco Bell is restarting the 21st century with the return of five popular food items from the 2000s. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025 Ensuring everyone has a tap at home alone would yield $37 billion in economic returns per year. Kelly Parsons, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for return
Recent Examples of Synonyms for return
Verb
  • These ingredients reflect a growing shift in pet wellness away from simply slowing joint deterioration and toward rebuilding comfort, restoring flexibility, and reducing inflammation at the source.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • McDonald's framed the move as a broader push to restore lower price points across its menus after rolling out McValue and other promotions earlier this year.
    Ben Kelly, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While poor earnings could send tech stocks down momentarily, the S&P 500 has yielded returns in most years since its inception.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The extravagant approach mirrors the hero’s untamed energy, all to yield a genuinely spectacular film.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • City Attorney George Wysong and attorney Dwayne Robinson, whom the city hired as outside counsel in the case, did not immediately respond to questions asking about the city’s next steps.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Shortly before midnight, officers responded to a call of a person shot in the 7700 block of South Essex Avenue and found the entry door of a building open.
    Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The president has similarly hinted at soon reverting the Department of Defense to the Department of War, the name the Cabinet’s military department bore from 1789 until 1947.
    Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
  • After issuing its conclusion on Thursday, the DOE gave Denver Public Schools the opportunity to revert the all-gender restrooms back to ones separated by gender or risk further enforcement actions.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Journal Sentinel has requested a copy of Gonzalez' resignation letter and is awaiting a response.
    Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Twenty minutes into the town hall, Davidson began to fall silent in response to the noise from the crowd.
    Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The permit applications showed oil companies requested to flare or vent more than 195 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year, enough to power more than 3 million homes and generate millions of dollars of tax revenue had the gas been captured.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Reeves has already conducted a tax raid on British businesses, meaning that workers, the wealthy and banks could be on the hook, as the government looks to raise revenues.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There are also fears that doctors in these practices may focus too much on keeping paying patients happy, rather than providing the best disease management or medical care, researchers said.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The jump in community college enrollment shows that more people feel this type of education sets them up to find a well-paying job without going into heavy debt, officials at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College said.
    Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Richards replied, before tapping Sheen on the shoulder.
    Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Downing did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
    Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Return.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/return. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

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