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
This is similar to the way returning citizens face civic exclusion after incarceration.
—
Shianne Leclaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
The Timberwolves have interest in him returning next season.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Use a commercial preventive spray that promises to clean and kill algae and prevent it from returning.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
Still, fans will be glad to know the horror franchise’s original writer-director Sam Raimi is returning as co-scribe.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
The concert will feature a full orchestra and chorus, along with returning artists from past seasons, highlighting memorable moments from the series’ two-decade history.
—Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
Health officials have not publicly identified the patient, but Henry said earlier this week that four Canadians connected to the cruise ship outbreak were isolating in the Island Health region after returning from the voyage.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 16 May 2026
The returning performer’s new heroine, Elsa, is now a grownup, who reunites with her family after pursuing her studies in Europe and discovers her young sister, Amalia (newcomer Mariangel Montero), living in their family home alone and unsupervised.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Giuliani's doctor, Maria Ryan, told Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl that the former mayor began feeling ill after returning from a trip to Paris, with his breathing deteriorating to the point that he was placed on a ventilator.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Shianne Leclaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
The Timberwolves have interest in him returning next season.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Use a commercial preventive spray that promises to clean and kill algae and prevent it from returning.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
Still, fans will be glad to know the horror franchise’s original writer-director Sam Raimi is returning as co-scribe.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
The concert will feature a full orchestra and chorus, along with returning artists from past seasons, highlighting memorable moments from the series’ two-decade history.
—Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
Health officials have not publicly identified the patient, but Henry said earlier this week that four Canadians connected to the cruise ship outbreak were isolating in the Island Health region after returning from the voyage.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 16 May 2026
The returning performer’s new heroine, Elsa, is now a grownup, who reunites with her family after pursuing her studies in Europe and discovers her young sister, Amalia (newcomer Mariangel Montero), living in their family home alone and unsupervised.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Giuliani's doctor, Maria Ryan, told Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl that the former mayor began feeling ill after returning from a trip to Paris, with his breathing deteriorating to the point that he was placed on a ventilator.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for returning
Verb
-
To help preserve the surrounding landscape, the hotel has also rented out a part of the surrounding ranch for the purpose of relocating livestock and restoring wildlife.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
No silver bullet exists for protecting or restoring bat populations affected by white-nose syndrome, but promising efforts are underway.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Tinsley was back in the circle Sunday afternoon, yielding one run in UCLA’s 15-1 victory over the Gamecocks to advance to the super regionals.—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Sproat has allowed eight home runs this year, yielding at least one in five appearances and coughed up more than one home run twice.—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Although adept at large-volume production, the garment maker is responding to sourcing strategy shifts, as brands seek out faster turnarounds and closer collaboration with their suppliers.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
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What began as a panel of speakers Wednesday quickly turned into a room discussion, with people expressing distress and others responding with solutions or ways to get involved, such as signing up as a registrar, to register voters.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Finally, for unknown reasons, hydrangeas of any color may suddenly bloom in green for a year or two before reverting back to their original color.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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That also means that either reverting BIOS settings or performing an OS reset is possible.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Importing higher-paying—and oftentimes higher-achieving—students benefits a school during boom times, when universities have seemingly infinite choice among applicants.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
Adani, one of the world’s richest people, was accused in 2024 of paying massive bribes to ensure the project’s success.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Verb
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But the comment period for replying to such opposition remains open until Monday, May 11.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
7 May 2026
-
The two brothers chimed in, replying that both were Travis.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
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And the end came well before midnight, with goals by Mitch Marner and Brett Howden in the first 8½ minutes giving Vegas a commanding lead before many in the late-arriving weeknight crowd had made it to their seats at the Honda Center.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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Las Vegas moved on from the quarterback this offseason in favor of Cousins and Mendoza, less than a year after giving Smith more than $58 million guaranteed.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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One the Philadelphia Phillies slugger isn't particularly interested in answering.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
On the one hand, the men in charge of teams are held to account at least twice a week for nine months, rain or shine, albeit answering different versions of the same question a lot of the time.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Returning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/returning. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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