return 1 of 2

Definition of returnnext
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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Season 42 continues on Friday with Adam Remsen returning as champion to face two new challengers. Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 26 June 2026 The move returned the Florida native—born in Daytona Beach and raised in Boca Raton—to his home state. Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
Noun
Jones, who spent part of his offseason training with former Pro Bowl tackle Terron Armstead, has felt his confidence return. Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 24 June 2026 If the Giants changed their tune and made Webb available, the return package would likely net the team multiple top-100 prospects, as well as a young player or two ready to contribute in the majors. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for return
Recent Examples of Synonyms for return
Verb
  • The utility later cleared residents to return to every building except the 600 building while crews worked to restore power.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • If any of these qualities are missing from your relationship, work on adding or restoring them.
    Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Issues with the test The Presidential Physical Fitness Test has previously yielded negative results among some students, according to Goodway.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • The technology was part of a broader effort by a working group of coaches and analysts to find minor advantages that could yield major benefits at the World Cup, both in shootouts and on set pieces, including free kicks and corner kicks.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will honor its commitments if the US does the same, while warning that Tehran will respond firmly to threats.
    Deva Lee, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • The suit did not specify what drug was involved, but said responding officers and paramedics gave the teen who sued multiple doses of Narcan, which is used to reverse overdoses caused by opioids such as fentanyl.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • This can sometimes take months and requires keeping up with soil amendments so the plant doesn't revert back to its old hue.
    Steve Bender, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
  • As light can selectively target the fluid, scientists were able to print microscopic conductive patterns that completely vanish once exposed to open air, which reverts the gel back into non-conductive liquid clusters.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Fox News Digital has reached out to the Justice Department seeking clarification about an apparent discrepancy in its announcement regarding the age of one of the alleged trafficking victims and will update this story if a response is received.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Their desperation comes as the Venezuelan government faces mounting criticism over its response to the crisis.
    Isa Soares, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • NewsGuard hopes that revenue will come from users who find the chatbot worth paying $6 per month to access.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • With the 50/50 revenue breakdown between studios and movie theaters, a $250 million movie generally needs to reach $500 million globally to break even.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • On Saturday and Sunday their restaurants — Nobby’s and The Cheese Steak Shop — will donate their profits to the families of Hull and Johnson.
    ALULA ALDERSON, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
  • As a nonprofit organization, all of the profits from Rainbow Wool go to LSVD+, the largest nongovernmental organization in Germany advocating for LGBTQ+ people.
    Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The goal is to brighten—not shrink or damage—your fabrics, so pay special attention to heat sensitivity and fiber type.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • In California, drivers pay some of the highest prices in the country.
    Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Return.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/return. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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