1
2
3
as in responds
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 reverts
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
1
as in responses
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
2
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
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 returns
Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Joel returns home and sees visions When Joel comes back to his father’s home, he is immediately confronted by memories and visions that guide him toward answers.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Wednesday looks about the same before the sun returns Thursday.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
In Ben Wheatley's brilliant and blistering work, a British soldier returns home and embarks on a career as a hit man, finding strange little details while on his various jobs.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Benson returns in style Of the Sabres’ early-season injuries, Benson’s absence might have hurt the most.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
When a patient comes in for Preservé, their surgeon takes measurements, including the width of the breasts and the distance from nipple to nipple, and plugs the data into a three-dimensional imaging system, which returns a specific range of implants that will fit the person’s chest.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025
Grinchmas returns as Universal Plaza is transformed into Who-ville, the center of which is a 65-foot Grinchmas tree.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Ravenswood returns as the Phantom of the manor and kills the groom-to-be.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
Amazon Prime members can also take advantage of free overnight shipping, free returns, and a responsive Levoit customer service team should anything go awry.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
The Museum of Art and Design at Miami-Dade College, which has made its home in the historic landmark since 2012, returns with a new art exhibition tying into the building’s legacy as a gateway for migration.
—Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Russell is their best option at point guard until Irving returns, and Russell can be a bit of a wild animal.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
Doing the same routine over and over will likely yield diminishing returns, while raising the chances of boredom or a repetitive-use injury.
—Jamie Ducharme, Health, 28 Oct. 2025
Jeffrey Bassa was penalized twice on returns.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Capital discipline — prioritizing projects with credible returns — and greater localization that enables technology transfer and strengthens Saudi balance sheets.
—Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
There’s a good example here, which is returns fraud.
—Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
While the Bengals likely hope Flacco is merely a stopgap until starter Joe Burrow returns, the 40-year-old has an incentive to hope his stay under center lasts as long as possible thanks to language in his contract.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Joel returns home and sees visions When Joel comes back to his father’s home, he is immediately confronted by memories and visions that guide him toward answers.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Wednesday looks about the same before the sun returns Thursday.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
In Ben Wheatley's brilliant and blistering work, a British soldier returns home and embarks on a career as a hit man, finding strange little details while on his various jobs.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Benson returns in style Of the Sabres’ early-season injuries, Benson’s absence might have hurt the most.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
When a patient comes in for Preservé, their surgeon takes measurements, including the width of the breasts and the distance from nipple to nipple, and plugs the data into a three-dimensional imaging system, which returns a specific range of implants that will fit the person’s chest.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025
Grinchmas returns as Universal Plaza is transformed into Who-ville, the center of which is a 65-foot Grinchmas tree.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Ravenswood returns as the Phantom of the manor and kills the groom-to-be.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
The returns of money market funds depend on prevailing interest rates.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
Amazon Prime members can also take advantage of free overnight shipping, free returns, and a responsive Levoit customer service team should anything go awry.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
The Museum of Art and Design at Miami-Dade College, which has made its home in the historic landmark since 2012, returns with a new art exhibition tying into the building’s legacy as a gateway for migration.
—Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Russell is their best option at point guard until Irving returns, and Russell can be a bit of a wild animal.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
Doing the same routine over and over will likely yield diminishing returns, while raising the chances of boredom or a repetitive-use injury.
—Jamie Ducharme, Health, 28 Oct. 2025
Jeffrey Bassa was penalized twice on returns.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Capital discipline — prioritizing projects with credible returns — and greater localization that enables technology transfer and strengthens Saudi balance sheets.
—Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
There’s a good example here, which is returns fraud.
—Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for returns
Verb
-
After Marie restores his powers, Polarity becomes a major key in how the gang is able to stop Godolkin.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Whether or not Congress restores broader flexibilities, the operational case for resilient virtual care remains clear.—
Scott R. Schell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One recipe yields about 3 1/2 cups, which is enough to frost the tops and sides of two 8- to 9-inch cake layers.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
-
That contrast, between how meticulously Reichardt builds her story and the way her protagonist pinballs through his, yields a remarkably precise exploration of hubris as a self-destructive force.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The department typically responds to zoos only in cases of disease outbreaks or import violations, according to Mueller.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Glandular tissue — the part made of milk ducts and supportive structures — responds to hormones.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The deduction and the phase-out levels will increase by 1% a year until 2029, when the cap reverts back to the original $10,000.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The alliance emphasizes that climate emotions — anxiety, grief, even rage — are not pathologies but rational responses to a destabilized world.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
-
For example, they were asked to find a creative use for an everyday object, then their responses were ranked on inventiveness.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The collection also pays tribute to the Belgian designer’s work for Y/Project, with various pieces in the collection—from boots through to prints—nodding to key archival designs.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The general fund also pays for parks, trash pickup, public works, code enforcement, and the county’s administrators and management staff, according to budget documents.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Attorney General Weiser replies that medical science evolves over time.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The man replies with further details to justify the figure.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Eager for answers, Mae messaged Charlie’s owner but got no response.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
All of that has left the Heat seeking answers in the immediate aftermath of Rozier’s Thursday arrest stemming from his alleged involvement in a sports betting scheme.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Returns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/returns. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share