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 next

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

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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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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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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

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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

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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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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 company has a share repurchase program with $1.7 billion remaining availability as of December 31, 2024, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders. —

Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2025 Just a few years ago, the car was purchased by the Mecum family (one of the world's largest auction houses), and it was meticulously restored and returned it to its original color. —

New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2025

Noun

Throughout the week, Graham has maintained a positive outlook on his potential return. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025 Under threat is the tax code's treatment of the profits of private equity, venture capital and hedge fund managers who pay a lower rate on their share of profits because these returns are taxed as capital gains instead of normal employment income. —

Allison McNeelyand Dawn Lim Bloomberg News (wpns), arkansasonline.com, 8 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for return

Recent Examples of Synonyms for return

Verb

President Barack Obama formally restored the name Denali in 2015.

— Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
The week’s biggest stories Fires and recovery aftermath Inside the battle to restore drinking water in Altadena and Pacific Palisades.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2025