return 1 of 2

Definition of returnnext
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

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2
as in to yield
to produce as revenue this technology stock is expected to return a healthy profit

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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

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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

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return

2 of 2

noun

1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

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 return
Verb
That opportunity will come after Espinal enjoyed an impressive stint with the Dodgers, but was pushed off the roster as one of the team’s key players returned from an injury and forced the front office’s hand. Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Then came the return-to-office mandate, which had a July 5, 2022 deadline. Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026
Noun
Maiara Niehues extended her scoring streak to three games, and Sveindís Jónsdóttir scored in her return from injury to give Angel City FC a 2-0 win over the Orlando Pride on Friday night at BMO Stadium. Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 Byron Buxton was back in the lineup on Saturday in New York following a four-game absence due to a hip impingement, and quickly announced his return. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for return
Recent Examples of Synonyms for return
Verb
  • The utility later cleared residents to return to every building except the 600 building while crews worked to restore power.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • If any of these qualities are missing from your relationship, work on adding or restoring them.
    Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Issues with the test The Presidential Physical Fitness Test has previously yielded negative results among some students, according to Goodway.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • The technology was part of a broader effort by a working group of coaches and analysts to find minor advantages that could yield major benefits at the World Cup, both in shootouts and on set pieces, including free kicks and corner kicks.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will honor its commitments if the US does the same, while warning that Tehran will respond firmly to threats.
    Deva Lee, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • The suit did not specify what drug was involved, but said responding officers and paramedics gave the teen who sued multiple doses of Narcan, which is used to reverse overdoses caused by opioids such as fentanyl.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The effect hasn’t mean-reverted.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 June 2026
  • These returns do not revert in subsequent trading days and are orders of magnitude larger than those outside the 24-hour pre-FOMC window.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Fox News Digital has reached out to the Justice Department seeking clarification about an apparent discrepancy in its announcement regarding the age of one of the alleged trafficking victims and will update this story if a response is received.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Their desperation comes as the Venezuelan government faces mounting criticism over its response to the crisis.
    Isa Soares, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • During the pandemic, the company started supplying medical apparel to hospitals and schools, and the business took off, with revenue doubling in 2020, Beig said.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Prosecutors say the aim of the plot was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries via the pipelines and prevent Russia from using the revenues from natural gas trading to finance its military operations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • The International Air Transport Association last month warned that global airlines could see their profits halved this year due to rising jet fuel costs, which are expected to be about 70% higher year-on-year.
    Hugh Leask, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Oil prices, which skyrocketed for the first few months of the US-Israeli war with Iran, are now coming back down, closing a window of opportunity for Russia to use higher profits on its exports to close its widening budget deficit.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • The goal is to brighten—not shrink or damage—your fabrics, so pay special attention to heat sensitivity and fiber type.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • In California, drivers pay some of the highest prices in the country.
    Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Return.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/return. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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