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
Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025 And exactly 10 seconds later, Western Hills athlete Warren Carter returned an interception for a touchdown, giving his team a 14-0 advantage. Elijah Flowers, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
In return, the city spent $2 million for street paving and bridge repairs. Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025 Three different players rushed for touchdowns in the win, while Torian Roberts had a 38-yard pick-six return for the team as well. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for return
Recent Examples of Synonyms for return
Verb
  • Maybe another manager could’ve done or said something to restore their confidence and shake them out of their long funks a little bit quicker.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • As with prevention, daily skin care is foundational, with regular moisturizing needed to restore the protective barrier.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Creditors face uncertainty as assets may be sold piecemeal and contested, potentially yielding less than an orderly liquidation—especially given FSS’s significant long-term liabilities.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • That will yield the organization some fraction of the $174,000 salary paid to congressmen.
    Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Dulin, who went undrafted in 2019, responded by notching two catches for a team-high 55 yards, in addition to doing his usual jobs as a gunner and return man.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • And Pérez responded, blooping a ball into left, driving in Kerry Carpenter, as the Tigers took a 3-2 lead.
    Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • During the team’s media day on Monday, Yang spoke some English but in mid-sentence would revert back to Chinese, producing a mix of English and Chinese that leaves the affable 7-footer chuckling at himself.
    Jason Quick, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Lawyers for the national council argued that reverting it back under New Jersey’s operation would have devastating consequences.
    Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But what a response — a performance full of waspish pressing, muscular defending and precise, efficient counters.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes were in the midst of a gritty response powered by Xavier Worthy and Isiah Pacheco grinding for tough yards before disaster struck at the goal line.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Their picks included trading platform IG Group , which reported a dip in revenue but customer growth last week.
    Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Saudi Arabia expects wider budget deficits this year and in 2026 after lowering revenue projections and boosting spending.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • One suggested paying for outside services, such as privatized tutoring.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Most other federal workers, however, do not get paid, even if they are deemed essential and required to work.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • So as Scheffler sank a birdie and John Rahm thrillingly replied in similar fashion, some fans could not see the action.
    Kevin Coulson, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Democrats have replied that this is prevented by federal law, though some states permit it, including through Medicaid.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Return.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/return. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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