1
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in response
something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question
I was moved by my grandfather's lengthy return to my casual question about his experiences in the Vietnam War
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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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of return
Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 5 Feb. 2026
When Richardson returned on December 22, his deputy chief of staff, Janis Hartley, immediately emailed Groff asking about the status of the Epstein conversation with Crist.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Naomi Jackson, Curbed, 11 Feb. 2026
Generally, though, the 29-year-old wing felt encouraged by his return last weekend.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for return
Verb
Guthrie's three children also shared a somber and tearful plea that evening, asking for their mother to be returned home after her disappearance, now in its fifth day.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 5 Feb. 2026
When Richardson returned on December 22, his deputy chief of staff, Janis Hartley, immediately emailed Groff asking about the status of the Epstein conversation with Crist.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
Few and far between were the Black elders who would greet you and expect a greeting in return, replaced by young white professionals and families who offered awkward smiles and occasional small talk when forced into proximity.
—Naomi Jackson, Curbed, 11 Feb. 2026
Generally, though, the 29-year-old wing felt encouraged by his return last weekend.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for return
Recent Examples of Synonyms for return
Verb
-
On this occasion, his team only threatened to restore parity once, Henderson blocking Kostoulas’s shot after he was put through by Georginio Rutter.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Administration public health officials often cite the need to restore trust in public health systems after the coronavirus pandemic, when vaccine policy and the general public health response to the deadly pandemic became a highly polarizing topic in American politics.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The temporary 2% increase would yield $44 million per fiscal year in tax revenue, and the 1% increase would bring in half that after 2028, according to City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
That round of talks, in Abu Dhabi, yielded the first prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia in five months and a vague agreement to continue negotiating, but no apparent progress on the major hurdles to a wider peace deal.—
Mariia Kashchenko,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The White House responded with a counterproposal Wednesday night, which Democrats dismissed as unserious.—
Riley Beggin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
In truth, Johnson’s lack of meaningful contribution to date may now prompt Palace to revert back to that way of operating in future.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
DeLano said Tennessee did something similar in response to Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Still, the department is sweeping in its scope, responsible not only for immigration enforcement, but also disaster response and airport security.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kering’s largest brand, Gucci, dragged on revenues.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
-
To be sure, some investors are betting that the enormous build out will eventually translate into revenue and profits.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Judges in counties with the program have a list of OFR attorneys who can be contacted and paid through legislative appropriations, rather than through court funds.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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Anderson paid tribute to the assistant director Adam Somner, who died in 2024 at 57 from thyroid cancer.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Allred replied with fire, throwing his support to Crockett and suggesting Talarico’s rhetoric was born of personal insecurity during an intense online video.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Goldberg replied, before encouraging them to applaud for her cohost.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Return.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/return. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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