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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Many new mothers, like Jalonni Weaver, struggled with mental health and a lack of workplace flexibility upon returning from leave. — Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Xavier Williams returned a fumble 10 yards off a Fata Puloka sack to pull Sac State to within 21-10 in the third quarter. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

Of course, drug development is high risk, with the potential for big returns counterbalanced by the products and companies that flop. — Avalon Pernell, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Rembel capped off the scoring with another kickoff return touchdown late in the game. — Raul Avila, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for return

Recent Examples of Synonyms for return

Verb

The advocacy group has proposed legislation aimed at restoring competition in digital advertising.

— Jody Godoy, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Nowadays, the gardens designed for King George IV are being restored, a green lung for the city.

— Lauren Frayer, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of restore

Verb

Abel reiterated that the company continues to see value in these investments, which have yielded strong returns for Berkshire as shares of the trading houses have grown substantially since the initial investment six years ago.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
The lender then recalculates the repayment schedule, yielding a lower monthly payment.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of yield

Verb

Mamdani opened the news conference by expressing his condolences to the victims and their families and thanking the officers who responded.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Two people were stabbed, one fatally, near Times Square on Monday afternoon, with responding authorities shooting and killing the female suspect, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of respond

Verb

That project was scrapped in February 2025 due to creative differences and the rights have since reverted back to Maas.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Marathon Petroleum, YTD Cyclical (or mean reverting) businesses look cheapest at the top as P/Es fall on record earnings.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of revert

Noun

Rather than just controlling throttle response, as most of these systems do on electric bikes, Bonnell’s clutch actually ramps phase amps directly, creating a more natural clutch-like feel, the company’s CEO says.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Former senior vice president of people and culture Erin Dangerfield, now Golden State’s chief people officer, allegedly questioned Vasquez about her responses in the survey.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of response

Noun

In the first half, revenues in the Americas increased by 6 percent at constant exchange rates to 147 million euros, with direct-to-consumer benefiting from robust local consumption.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
Trump’s tariff policy could raise more than $1 trillion in federal revenue over 10 years, according to an estimate by the nonprofit Tax Foundation.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of revenue

Verb

Google will pay an additional $190 million to Entergy for transmission system upgrades needed to serve the project.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
With consumers paying an average of $49,855 for new cars in July 2026, according to Cox Automotive's Kelley Blue Book, only nine major car brands averaged sale prices under $40,000 in the United States.

— Keith Laing, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of pay

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retrospects

return

returned

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“Return.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/return. Accessed 4 Sep. 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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