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

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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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

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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

Examples 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

Walmart did not immediately return a request for comment. —

Ray Lewis, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2025 But Israel won't completely withdraw from Gaza until all of the hostages are returned, the Israeli official said. —

Barak Ravid, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025

Noun

Isaac Paredes When the Cubs traded three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in December, Paredes was the centerpiece of their return. —

Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 The 7-footer is averaging 14.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists since his return from a foot injury. —

Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for return

Recent Examples of Synonyms for return

Verb

Similarly to Florida, New York restores the right to vote once a person is released from prison.

Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
After freezing rain pushed up electricity outages above 110,000 in Georgia on Friday night, many of those outages were being restored Saturday.

CBS News, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2025