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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2
as in yielding
to produce as revenue this technology stock is expected to return a healthy profit
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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
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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
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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 Scott was a key part of the Hurricanes defense, returning an interception for a touchdown in UM’s Cotton Bowl win over Ohio State. —
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 Even though both those returning starters are entering the final year of their contracts, inside linebacker is up there with tailback and defense tackles as luxury picks for the Dolphins. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026 Bessent hitched his wagon to Trump in 2023, using his reputation on Wall Street to rally support among business leaders for the returning president. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026 It was not made clear if Piper will be the next Doctor or is returning as a companion. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026 That group joined returning cast members Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson. —Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026 The one that comes immediately to mind was Nikita Zadorov, who missed several shifts in Game 3 before returning. —Stephen Conroy, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026 At Emerald Organics in Fort Worth, staff said customers started returning within hours. —Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 Even though both those returning starters are entering the final year of their contracts, inside linebacker is up there with tailback and defense tackles as luxury picks for the Dolphins. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026 Bessent hitched his wagon to Trump in 2023, using his reputation on Wall Street to rally support among business leaders for the returning president. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026 It was not made clear if Piper will be the next Doctor or is returning as a companion. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026 That group joined returning cast members Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson. —Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026 The one that comes immediately to mind was Nikita Zadorov, who missed several shifts in Game 3 before returning. —Stephen Conroy, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026 At Emerald Organics in Fort Worth, staff said customers started returning within hours. —Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for returning
Verb
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In practice, that means debris removal, emergency protective measures and critical infrastructure repairs — like restoring water systems — would continue.— Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
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Doctors would infuse a virus into her son's ears carrying a gene for a protein called otoferlin, which Travis was missing, hopefully restoring the ability of his brain to receive signals from his ears.— Rob Stein, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Cubs’ approach has largely been solid this season, often yielding plenty of run-scoring chances on a daily basis.— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
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The strategy is already yielding results.— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fire suppression aircraft are responding to strengthen the fire line.— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
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OpenAI, for example, added a feature to ChatGPT in August that encourages users to take breaks after using the tool for extended periods of time instead of nudging them to keep responding.— Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That also means that either reverting BIOS settings or performing an OS reset is possible.— John Burek, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
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The stadium also has a different name, reverting back to Sporting Park after its 10-year agreement with Children’s Mercy expired.— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Talking about more than academics, Joyce said CLC’s project to build the Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee, teaching skills for well-paying jobs and a major expansion to the Waukegan campus have made a difference in helping to build the workforce.— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
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Lawyers who represent Silicon Valley’s biggest AI firms are paying attention.— Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rose first made her allegation earlier this week while replying to an article about Perry posted to social media by Complex magazine.— Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
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Over the last four months, Ponto has been a voracious voice on social media, frequently commenting on Facebook posts related to the mayoral race and replying to resident comments.— Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen had a dreadful Game 2 before giving way to Lyon in the third period.— Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
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How absurd, indeed, to imagine wild birds giving time like the mechanical songsters on an ornamental clock.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to the Church, secular society isn’t capable of answering those questions on its own.— Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
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There was also a hot make-out sesh in the powder room between Marsden and Munn’s characters, and Coop answering his own version of the Four Questions.— Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Returning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/returning. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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