1
as in restoring
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
as in yielding
to produce as revenue
this technology stock is expected to return a healthy profit
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in responding
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 reverting
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
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Recent Examples of returning
The lender remains a key M&A player in Europe, with its minority stakes in Commerzbank and Greece's Alpha Bank returning around 20 percent returns on investment, according to the bank.
—
Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Several new and returning TV shows are available for those not watching the Super Bowl.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
The bus carrying members of a wedding party was returning home Thursday night when the bus fell about 650 feet, landing on flat ground near Budgaun village, about 310 miles west of the capital, Kathmandu.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
The 62-year-old Payton will face a true crossroads once returning from offseason vacation, after the Broncos successfully convinced fast-rising offensive mind Davis Webb to stay on as the team’s new offensive coordinator.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Since reforms began in late 2023, the number of children removed from their homes has since dramatically increased, returning now to earlier levels, according to county data.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
However, a blend of soil and sand is the best way to discourage moles from returning.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
Lewis said the Aztecs are in the top 10 in the country in returning production, with more than 11,000 reps back from the 2025 season.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Re-signing Goldschmidt now means 24 of 26 players from the Yankees’ American League Division Series roster are returning in 2026.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Several new and returning TV shows are available for those not watching the Super Bowl.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
The bus carrying members of a wedding party was returning home Thursday night when the bus fell about 650 feet, landing on flat ground near Budgaun village, about 310 miles west of the capital, Kathmandu.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
The 62-year-old Payton will face a true crossroads once returning from offseason vacation, after the Broncos successfully convinced fast-rising offensive mind Davis Webb to stay on as the team’s new offensive coordinator.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Since reforms began in late 2023, the number of children removed from their homes has since dramatically increased, returning now to earlier levels, according to county data.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
However, a blend of soil and sand is the best way to discourage moles from returning.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
Lewis said the Aztecs are in the top 10 in the country in returning production, with more than 11,000 reps back from the 2025 season.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Re-signing Goldschmidt now means 24 of 26 players from the Yankees’ American League Division Series roster are returning in 2026.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for returning
Verb
-
Trump cut federal ties with the firm before Karp cut a deal with the White House, restoring the relationship.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
-
But if the state Senate fails to act in the service of saving the waning hope of restoring democracy in this country, then Maryland and all our residents will bear some responsibility for the consequences.—
Sherrilyn Ifill,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Home country figure skaters also have cause to celebrate, with Italian Matteo Rizzo’s emotional skate to an Interstellar medley yielding a rousing performance.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Resting allows the flour to hydrate, the dough to firm up, and the flavors to meld and deepen, yielding superior results.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The family argued that police officers should not be responding to medical support calls.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crashed while responding to an active shooting situation Wednesday night, killing both people onboard, police said.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Contingency plans are in place should the security situation deteriorate, which may necessitate reverting individual sailings or the wider structural change of the service back to the Cape of Good Hope route, Maersk said.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That’s a step in the right direction for a generation that is reverting back to a desire to meet in real life.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In most of the cases, State Farm denied policyholders who had no connection to the company beyond paying their premiums.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
For rural counties with limited money, not paying the attorneys on the juvenile docket allows the court to pay for jurors, attorneys on other dockets, courthouse improvements and more, Fransein said.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Two years ago, Duplicki, an avid runner from the Philadelphia suburb of Lansdale, became Dobbs’ guide after replying to a message on a local Facebook runners’ group.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2026
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The mom of eight shared more happy news in the comments, replying to fans who shared their well wishes.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This research marks the first time scientists have identified the specific amino acids — arginine and tyrosine — that act as molecular glue, giving spider silk its legendary properties.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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There are also giant granite boulders dotting the shore, giving it a decidedly remote, rugged feel.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Healey avoided answering the question, instead stating that Massachusetts officials tipped off the feds to the $7 million SNAP fraud scheme uncovered by Foley’s office in December.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
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Available to stream on Hulu and Disney+, the current third season brought more chaos and WTF moments while also answering some questions.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Returning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/returning. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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