RETURN Synonyms: 145 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

return 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈtərn

Definition of return

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

take
remove

as in to yield

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

return

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

The shower happens because Earth crosses a stream of debris left behind by Halley's Comet, which was last in the inner solar system in 1986 and will return in 2061. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach never returned from elbow injuries in 2026. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

The return must be received and processed within 30 days to receive a refund to the original form of payment. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 15 Oct. 2026 Moisture return will be relatively slow, so mainly dry conditions should continue. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for return

Recent Examples of Synonyms for return

Verb

The husband-and-wife duo painstakingly restored the home and opened it as a luxury bed-and-breakfast three years later.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
In the bedroom, there are deep-storage areas on top of the closet, and the oversize windows have had the original pocket shutters restored.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of restore

Verb

This would enable firms to communicate more effectively about issues, ensuring that any failures yield lessons that could be applied industry-wide.

— James Peckham, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
These local governments’ efforts to outdo one another in carrying out Beijing’s strategy yielded widespread overcapacity and huge amounts of waste.

— Scott Singer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of yield

Verb

The government did not respond to further questions sent in October for this article.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Massie had aggravated Trump by pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and opposing the Iran war, and the president responded by successfully backing Gallrein in the party’s primary.

— Michelle S. Price, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of respond

Noun

Their responses were not edited and are in the candidates’ own words.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
More than 350 flights were canceled or delayed at Moscow airports, local media reported, as planes were grounded in response to incoming drones.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of response

Noun

About 25% of EY’s $57 billion in global revenues last year came from work generated through alliance and ecosystem partners, Truncale said.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Prosecutors say the aim of the plot was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries and prevent Russia from using the revenues to finance its military operations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of revenue

Noun

Niemiec is the chief science and education officer at the VIA Institute on Character, a non-profit focused on the science and practice of character strengths.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
The group has predicted a rebound in its profits this year, and its new CEO is projecting optimism.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of profit

Verb

What began as a few purists chasing a vibe became an ingredient an entire industry pays extra for.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The data showed that principals often earn from $158,000 to $186,000 per year, while assistant principals were generally paid $150,000 to $179,000.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of pay

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retrospects

return

returned

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Style

“Return.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/return. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of return

verb

noun

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Synonyms of return

verb

noun

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Phrases Containing return

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