1
as in restored
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in responded
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in reverted
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 returned
Many theories exist about why bed bug infestations have returned.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
But his bounce off the dribble returned almost immediately, empowering the guard to carve his path downhill to score 18 points in less than 13 minutes in the first half — 10 of which were created in the paint.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The three-day fete debuted at downtown’s Embarcadero Marina Park North in 2019, was dark in 2020, 2021 and 2023, then returned in 2024 and again — but with a decline in attendance — in 2025.
—Holly Alvarado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
That prior mission’s Orion vehicle returned from space with a heat shield pockmarked by unexpected damage — prompting NASA to investigate the issue.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
Knob Creek returned the 9 year age statement to its label after consumer pushback.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Police say the suspect left the scene but returned and fired more shots into the home and a parked car before leaving again.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Texans defensive back Calen Bullock returned an interception for a touchdown late in the game.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Oh, and then there was what happened way back in September, Patriots versus Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, when Antonio Gibson returned a fourth-quarter kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
But his bounce off the dribble returned almost immediately, empowering the guard to carve his path downhill to score 18 points in less than 13 minutes in the first half — 10 of which were created in the paint.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The three-day fete debuted at downtown’s Embarcadero Marina Park North in 2019, was dark in 2020, 2021 and 2023, then returned in 2024 and again — but with a decline in attendance — in 2025.
—Holly Alvarado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
That prior mission’s Orion vehicle returned from space with a heat shield pockmarked by unexpected damage — prompting NASA to investigate the issue.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
Knob Creek returned the 9 year age statement to its label after consumer pushback.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Police say the suspect left the scene but returned and fired more shots into the home and a parked car before leaving again.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Texans defensive back Calen Bullock returned an interception for a touchdown late in the game.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Oh, and then there was what happened way back in September, Patriots versus Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, when Antonio Gibson returned a fourth-quarter kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for returned
Verb
-
The company said service had been intermittently restored for some users in recent days.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Less than 10 customers remain without power, according to the Georgia Power spokesperson, and service is expected to be fully restored by noon Tuesday.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks yielded better returns with reduced risk compared to the benchmark index; offering a less volatile ride, as evidenced by HQ Portfolio performance metrics.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Baylor Scheierman contributed a corner three and a steal, using the latter to spark a fast break that yielded a Payton Pritchard triple.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Beijing has responded with a flurry of economic pressure, including cutting flights and warning citizens against traveling to Japan.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
-
But the Nets, who were coming off a 54-point blowout loss to the crosstown New York Knicks, responded with a 12-2 run, then led for much of the opening quarter.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Stoutmire reverted back to his comfort factor with the Razorback staff when asked what stood out about his trip to Fayetteville.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Jan. 2026
-
It is understood the dispute revolves around Banijay believing the TV and film rights to Stieg Larsson‘s Millennium Trilogy have reverted back to them since The Girl in the Spider’s Web movie aired in 2018.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The business also provided hobbyists with a place to talk about home brewing and meet other people with the same interest.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The spokesperson said information about how utilities are calculated is provided to residents.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
A student, with her voice shaking, replied that federal immigration agents were in her neighborhood.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Some of them replied and declined.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Each member gave their all, giving a rousing performance that ranged from sweet and cute to jaw-droppingly sexy.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
My dad also gave me some weird things to read for our little one-on-one Communist training, like Lenin’s On the National Question, which was a big ask of a twelve-year-old.—
Gaby Iori
January 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Whether Meta will have much by way of new AI products that can generate revenue remains a major question, and one Zuckerberg hasn’t clearly answered.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Barry’s little sister, who answered the call, was terrified.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Returned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/returned. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
