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
Neither approach resulted in a flock of birds returning.
—
Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies remain a safe bet to contend, returning much of last year’s NL East-winning club after bringing back Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Some of the returning POV characters are obviously Pliny, Maleagant (the sorceress from the outer wall), Ninian.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Hot off January's announcement that the K-pop juggernauts are returning for a massive world tour later this year, the ARMY has just been gifted another treat.
—Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026
The team was returning from the Asian Cup tournament, which was held in Australia.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Taryn and Ryan Hart, a Dallas couple returning from Lima, Peru, stood in line for nearly two hours.
—Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
In his first game since returning from the World Baseball Classic, Byron Buxton started in center field and went 0 for 3.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 20 Mar. 2026
But behind the scenes, from returning host Conan O’Brien to the producers and Emmy-winning production design team, is a group of people who know how to dazzle a global audience.
—Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies remain a safe bet to contend, returning much of last year’s NL East-winning club after bringing back Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Some of the returning POV characters are obviously Pliny, Maleagant (the sorceress from the outer wall), Ninian.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Hot off January's announcement that the K-pop juggernauts are returning for a massive world tour later this year, the ARMY has just been gifted another treat.
—Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026
The team was returning from the Asian Cup tournament, which was held in Australia.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Taryn and Ryan Hart, a Dallas couple returning from Lima, Peru, stood in line for nearly two hours.
—Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
In his first game since returning from the World Baseball Classic, Byron Buxton started in center field and went 0 for 3.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 20 Mar. 2026
But behind the scenes, from returning host Conan O’Brien to the producers and Emmy-winning production design team, is a group of people who know how to dazzle a global audience.
—Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for returning
Verb
-
Ilia Gruev was taken out of the team on Sunday to make way for Nmecha, but restoring him in the German’s place for a home game against Brentford would not send the right message to the crowd.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Yet for Iran’s current regime, its endgame is not victory but survival, restoring deterrence and attempting to regain power to dictate terms of what comes after the war.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There are too many of the latter to count as the evening wears on, yielding a shootout at Sosa’s estate that really comes alive due to all the elements at play, from Grabinski’s impressive balancing of multiple story threads to Isabelle Guay’s production design that mixes eras and colors.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
-
But after the Higgs discovery, the particle physics headlines went quiet again, with searches for other hypothesized particles yielding the sigh-inducing null result.—
Mariangela Lisanti,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If there have been too many mini-resets for the comfort of the supporters, a strength of Howe’s Newcastle has been absorbing lessons and responding, at least some of the time.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
How is the oil and gas industry responding?—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The stadium also has a different name, reverting back to Sporting Park after its 10-year agreement with Children’s Mercy expired.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
-
That’s been standard ever since, but for Season 50, the series is reverting back to the live finale, which is why the sweepstakes might be uniquely appealing for fans.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The purpose of an early debate is to help Californians evaluate a still-developing field, not to let academics and media sponsors freeze the race before most people start paying attention.—
Matt Klink,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
-
That growth has been evident in the high-paying tech sector.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jo paused before replying while looking off-screen.—
Lisa Cavazuti,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
-
If emotions surge, take a breath before replying, then propose pausing whatever’s going on until everyone agrees on fair terms.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Spring has taken hold across Texas, with blooming flowers and budding trees signaling the season’s arrival — and giving families the perfect excuse to head out in search of scenic fields.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The split-screen dynamic is giving Republicans an early glimpse of what could become the party’s defining 2028 divide — one that may ultimately hinge on how the war unfolds.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The longest games were the loudest, especially when the crowd tried to will Badosa back into it, but Jovic kept answering.—
Noah Gulley,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Floria juggles endless tasks, administering medication, updating charts, soothing patients, answering phones, and managing complaints.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Returning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/returning. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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