returning

verb

present participle of return
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

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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

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 returning That strike prevented the landing of an Iranian flight carrying a Houthi delegation returning from the funeral of Iran’s supreme leader, who had been killed in the opening strikes of the war in February. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 On the positive side, freshman Bryson Hayes showed great speed in hitting the right sideline and returning Kansas State’s first kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 7-7. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026 For years, returning citizens have worked to rebuild their lives, support their families, contribute to their communities, and reclaim their place in our democracy. — Raven Lightsey, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Rockett wrote that his doctor seemed just as surprised by the results but explained that treatment needed to continue to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Teams will inspect returning stages and prepare them for refurbishment before subsequent missions. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Conversely, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is on a roll despite returning from last season’s devastating knee injury. — Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 According to Hiatt, both pilots include returning champions competing against challengers and a progressive jackpot. — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 There is much more to come in this two-hour-plus adaptation including a battle royale that will see Prue returning for a massive fight to the finish, still hoping to navigate a happy ending. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for returning
  1. restoring
  2. yielding
  3. responding
  4. reverting
  5. paying
  6. replying
  7. giving
  8. answering
Verb
  • The utility’s outage listings Friday afternoon showed crews patrolling electrical lines in many affected communities, a step toward restoring power once conditions were considered safe.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Kast and Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz plan to discuss trade and border security and sign mining and energy agreements, but restoring full diplomatic relations is not on the agenda.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of restoring
Verb
  • In the case of the Dalmore, the new Cigar Malt Signature Reserve Aged 18 Years was aged across a total of five different cask types, yielding a whisky that can be enjoyed on its own as well as sipped with a fine cigar.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But their fervor ironically winds up being counterproductive, yielding a jumbled tonal mess that feels deadly serious one moment and like parody the next.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of yielding
Verb
  • Officers responding to a report of a stabbing found Dodge, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Friday’s exhibition contest featured a 22-0 KU run in the first half, the Jayhawks responding to Pitt State grabbing an early 22-21 lead.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of responding
Verb
  • The notorious property has since undergone a name change, reverting back to its original moniker of Sycamore Valley Ranch.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The exact process for reverting adult cells back to an early embryonic stage, however, wasn’t clear.
    — Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of reverting
Verb
  • AutoGov takes care of regular tasks like renewing licenses, paying bills, and booking routine health appointments.
    — Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The organization paying for it may also receive only part of its value, as when a hospital funds a system that benefits patients and insurers.
    — Hani Assi, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of paying
Verb
  • The Federal Trade Commission warns that even replying to an unexpected text can confirm that a scammer has reached a working telephone number.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • According to SeniorMatch’s photo-verification guide, members must complete photo verification before interacting with other users, including sending or replying to messages.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of replying
Verb
  • By the time Lee’s moved on to thanking his dad for not believing him, thereby giving him something to prove, an embarrassed Frances is making a quick run for the exit.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Riyadh was planning to make FII a hybrid event, giving executives the option to take part remotely.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of giving
Verb
  • Kansas’ junior Republican senator spent roughly 30 minutes answering questions from a Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce moderator.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The harder question is one the West has been quietly answering the same way for three hundred years, and the answer sits at the heart of the Enlightenment.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of answering

Browse Nearby Words

returned
returning
returns
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Cite this Entry

“Returning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/returning. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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