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
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 returning
Heaps is returning home while some other national team stars have gone to Europe in the past year, including defender Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson.
—
Romi Bean, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
With some exciting guest designers, an influx of international talent, and some returning big names, there’s plenty in store this season.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 13 Jan. 2026
His announcement, coupled with previous announcements from Jordan Napier and Jacob Bostick, means that the Aztecs are returning all three of their starting receivers.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
In addition to a usual go-to order of a baker’s dozen and creamy spreads, customers can celebrate with two returning Asiago Bagel Stacks sandwiches and three new breakfast versions.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
The returning Doomsday cast also includes Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston and Simu Liu, as well as Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn and Kelsey Grammer, who costarred with Stewart, McKellen and Marsden in the X-Men movies throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Boeing, however, is one of the few defense companies that is not returning capital to shareholders.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
Anderson and the Philip Glass Ensemble are regular performers at the Tibet House US Benefit Concert, and many of this year’s other performers are returning guests — whether after an absence of a few years or a few decades — as well.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Senior 6-9 forward Malik Dia, who scored 19 points with eight rebounds that day against the Razorbacks, is the team's sole returning starter.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
Romi Bean, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
With some exciting guest designers, an influx of international talent, and some returning big names, there’s plenty in store this season.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 13 Jan. 2026
His announcement, coupled with previous announcements from Jordan Napier and Jacob Bostick, means that the Aztecs are returning all three of their starting receivers.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
In addition to a usual go-to order of a baker’s dozen and creamy spreads, customers can celebrate with two returning Asiago Bagel Stacks sandwiches and three new breakfast versions.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
The returning Doomsday cast also includes Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston and Simu Liu, as well as Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn and Kelsey Grammer, who costarred with Stewart, McKellen and Marsden in the X-Men movies throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Boeing, however, is one of the few defense companies that is not returning capital to shareholders.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
Anderson and the Philip Glass Ensemble are regular performers at the Tibet House US Benefit Concert, and many of this year’s other performers are returning guests — whether after an absence of a few years or a few decades — as well.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Senior 6-9 forward Malik Dia, who scored 19 points with eight rebounds that day against the Razorbacks, is the team's sole returning starter.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for returning
Verb
-
But that project was further complicated by last week’s decision by the state Supreme Court restoring the area’s 30-foot building height limit — despite a 2022 ballot measure to lift it.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
-
But restoring the same protections that wetlands enjoyed under the EPA is complicated, requiring a significant state investment to expand its oversight — and potentially creating costs for farmers and other landowners.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Commercial Sb₂O₃ and Nb₂O₅ were reacted at high temperature in ambient air, yielding uniform rod-like TNO crystals ranging from 500 nm to 2 µm without detectable secondary phases.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Multiple wells, corresponding to different collection locations or different concentrations, are examined at the same time, quickly yielding an electronic scatter plot that estimates how much of each virus is present in the wastewater under examination.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During the height of the 2025 fire season, the Salinas Fire Department shared a photo of Harry with firefighters alongside Cruz and Taffy, therapy dogs who support crews responding to wildfires and other emergencies.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Since August, when the violations were initially announced, investigators assessed $5 million more for offenses, and additional fines were levied for not responding to inquiries in a timely manner.—
Michelle Baruchman,
AJC.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Indevin and Vinarchy will use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in their vineyards, with the former rolling back organic practices at about 250 of its 320 acres, while the latter is reverting 200 of its 370 acres to conventional farming practices.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Could the Republican Party be reverting back to its old ways?—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In doing so, drivers can ensure their insurer has accurate information, thereby keeping them protected without paying more than necessary.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
No one likes paying for insurance — and mounting premiums in 2025 didn't help matters.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The biggest update is to how Gemini will assist users with writing and replying to messages.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Feedback is welcome and can be provided by simply replying to the daily email itself.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Kikivivi Satin Ballet Sneakers These ballet sneakers are giving Vivaia but for way, way less.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Officers responded to the couple’s home after several concerned friends and co-workers called police to report that Spencer Tepe, a local dentist, had not shown up for work and Monique Tepe was not answering the phone.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
-
There were Miami heroics of receiver Malachi Toney turning a short pass into a 36-yard touchdown for the lead, and Mississippi’s answering heroics of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss throwing a 24-yard touchdown to retake the lead.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Returning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/returning. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
