Synonyms of return

return 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈtərn 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restore
• replace
• reconvey

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• take
• remove

2

as in to yield

to produce as revenue

this technology stock is expected to return a healthy profit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• yield
• pay
• give
• provide
• bear
• supply
• furnish
• afford
• bring in
• net
• pay off

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• respond
• reply
• answer
• rejoin
• react
• come back
• retort
• comment
• acknowledge
• explain
• riposte
• correspond
• communicate
• counter
• defend
• remark
• field
• deny
• refute
• rebut

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ask
• inquire
• question
• examine
• challenge
• pump
• interrogate
• survey
• query
• grill
• quiz
• cross-examine
• poll

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revert
• regress
• decline
• retrogress
• relapse
• lapse
• fall
• throw back
• drop
• backslide
• degenerate
• ebb
• worsen
• retrograde

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• develop
• advance
• evolve
• grow
• progress
• mature
• ripen

return

2 of 2

noun

1

as in response

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question

I was moved by my grandfather's lengthy return to my casual question about his experiences in the Vietnam War

Synonyms & Similar Words

• response
• answer
• reply
• reaction
• retort
• comeback
• rejoinder
• remark
• replication
• feedback
• communication
• observation
• explanation
• comment
• justification
• back talk
• acknowledgment
• banter
• rebuttal
• defense
• plea
• refutation
• non sequitur
• correspondence
• persiflage
• repartee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• question
• inquiry
• query
• charge
• challenge
• interrogation
• survey
• quiz
• questionnaire
• poll
• grilling
• interrogatory
• cross-examination

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revenue
• profit
• income
• proceeds
• yield
• incoming(s)
• gain(s)
• earnings
• money
• windfall
• wages
• salary
• funds
• killing
• capital
• pocket
• resources
• take-home pay
• finances
• tips
• exchequer
• pocketbook
• coffers
• bankroll
• wherewithal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cost
• charge
• expenses
• expenditures
• outlay
• disbursement
• outgo

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proceeds
• profit
• earnings
• gain
• payoff
• income
• salary
• net
• sales
• cleanup
• revenue
• lucre
• pay
• payment
• bottom line
• wages
• killing
• windfall
• yield
• compensation
• remittal
• interest
• gross
• emolument
• requital

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cost
• loss
• expense
• charge
• expenditure
• outlay
• disbursement
• outgo

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

Recent Examples of return

Verb

The show returned last year to critical acclaim and strong ratings for the launch of Season 5 last summer, ranking on Nielsen’s Streaming Top 10, drawing nearly 600 million minutes viewed. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026

Nickel Quentin Lake returned from injury against the Panthers, but didn’t quite look himself. —Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026

Noun

The Chinese Communist Party often demands political loyalty in return for its largesse, especially in insisting that potential partners break off relations with Taiwan. —Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026

Long sought by the dairy industry, the return of whole and 2% milk to school meals reverses provisions of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act championed by former first lady Michelle Obama. —CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing return

• point of no return