return
12 synonyms and 1 antonyms for return, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To come or go back to a place, or to give something back to its owner.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use return
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French retourner, "to turn back," from re- + tornare ("to turn").
Full origin of return →Frequently asked questions
What does “return” mean?
The word “return” means to come or go back to a place, or to give something back to its owner. In plain terms, going or giving something back, or (in finance) the profit made on money invested.
How do you pronounce “return”?
“Return” is pronounced rih-TURN (/ɹɪˈtɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “return” in a sentence?
Here is “return” used in a sentence: “She returned to her hometown after ten years abroad.”
What is another word for “return”?
Words with a similar meaning to “return” include revend, give back, reinstate, render, restore and revest.
What is the opposite of “return”?
The opposite of “return” — its antonyms — is take.
What part of speech is “return”?
Depending on how it is used, “return” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “return” come from?
The word “return” comes from Old French. From Old French retourner, "to turn back," from re- + tornare ("to turn").
Is “return” a common word?
“Return” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between return and refund?
To return something is to give it back — you physically hand the item to its owner or send it back to a shop. A refund is the money paid back to you when you return a purchase. You return the goods; the seller issues the refund. One is the action, the other the reimbursement.
What are the different meanings of return?
Return has several senses. It can mean to come back to a place, as in returning home. It can mean to give something back to its owner. In finance, a return is the profit made on an investment. In sport and computing it has further uses. The common thread is something going or coming back.
What is the opposite of return?
The opposite depends on the sense. When return means to come back, the opposites are leave, depart, or go. When it means to give something back, the opposite is to keep, take, or borrow. In every case, return implies a reversal — moving or handing something back to where it started.
What is an example of return in a sentence?
You can say 'I return to work on Monday' to mean coming back to a place, or 'Please return the book you borrowed' to mean giving something back. Both are everyday uses. The verb often pairs with 'to' for places and takes a direct object when handing items back to someone.