to return
Third Person
returns
Present Participle
returning
Past Tense
returned
Past Participle
returned
1
to go or come back to a person or place
- After a long vacation, it's time to return home.
- The migratory birds return to their nesting grounds every spring.
- The athlete plans to return to training after recovering from an injury.
- As the sun sets, the world starts to return to darkness.
- After completing the errands, she will return to the office.
2
to send, give, or bring something back to someone or to a place
transitive
- Sarah borrowed a book from the library and promised to return it next week.
- After repairing my laptop, the technician will return it to me by the end of the day.
- Don't forget to return the tools to the garage once you're done with the repairs.
- Please remember to return the conference room key after your meeting is over.
- The library kindly allows patrons to return books through the drop box after hours.
Synonyms:
3
to bring back a purchased item to the seller in order to receive a refund
transitive
- After discovering a defect in the new electronic gadget, Sarah decided to return it to the store for a refund.
- The shoes didn't fit properly, so Mark had to return them.
- Jane received a duplicate gift and decided to return one of them to the department store for a refund.
- The store's generous return policy allowed customers to return clothing items within 30 days.
- The customer realized that the color of the paint didn't match the sample, so they decided to return it.
4
to go back to a specific situation or condition
- As the economy struggled, many businesses faced challenges and had to find innovative ways to return to profitability.
- After a period of intense stress, Sarah practiced mindfulness to return to a state of calm and relaxation.
- The athlete worked hard to overcome an injury and return to a peak level of physical fitness.
- The relationship required open communication and compromise to return to normal.
5
to reoccur or happen again after a period of absence or inactivity
- The annual meteor shower is expected to return next month.
- The popular festival, which had been on hiatus for several years, is set to return with a grand celebration
- The rare celestial event, such as a solar eclipse, is a phenomenon that returns at irregular intervals.
- The once-thriving market, which closed during economic downturns, is making plans to return.
- The classic car show, absent for several years, will return as part of the annual festivities.
6
to retrace one's thoughts, revisiting a specific point or idea in narration or argumentation
transitive
- In his presentation, the speaker frequently returned to the central theme, emphasizing its significance.
- The author masterfully crafted the novel, skillfully returning to key plot points.
- As the lecturer delved into the intricate topic, she frequently returned to the foundational concepts.
- The orator, aware of the need for clarity, strategically returned to key themes in his speech.
Synonyms:
7
(of feelings or thoughts) to reoccur or resurface
- After a period of healing, the sadness began to return as the anniversary of the loss approached.
- In times of stress, old insecurities tend to return.
- The warmth of his smile caused her old affection for him to return.
- After a successful performance, the familiar nerves and stage jitters would return before each subsequent show.
Synonyms:
8
to respond to a statement, question, or remark
transitive
- The teacher posed a challenging question, and Sarah hesitated briefly before returning with a response.
- When confronted with the evidence, the suspect chose to remain silent and did not return with an alibi.
- The student was asked to explain the reasoning behind the solution, and he confidently returned with a detailed explanation.
- The spokesperson for the company carefully returned to the reporter's inquiries.
- During the debate, each candidate had the opportunity to return to the accusations made by their opponents.
9
to make a profit, often in the context of investments, business ventures, or financial activities
transitive
- The investor carefully diversified their portfolio, aiming to return a consistent profit over time.
- The company launched a new product line, expecting it to return significant profits.
- The educational institution invested in modern facilities, anticipating that it would return increased enrollment.
- The government's investment in infrastructure projects is designed to return economic growth.
- The company implemented employee training programs, expecting that they would return higher productivity.
10
to formally state or provide a decision, verdict, or response in answer to a specific request
transitive
- The judge is expected to return a verdict in the trial after carefully considering all the evidence presented.
- The parole board will carefully review the inmate's case and return a decision regarding early release.
- Following the investigation, the ethics committee returned a verdict of ethical misconduct.
- After reviewing the evidence, the court returned a verdict of not guilty.
- In a landmark case, the Supreme Court returned a groundbreaking decision, shaping legal precedent for years to come.
11
to submit or present a report, document, or similar item to someone in authority
transitive
- The team worked on the project and is ready to return the report to the department head for assessment.
- The accountant completed the financial audit and returned the detailed findings to the company's CFO.
- The pharmaceutical company must return the safety assessment documents to the relevant government agency.
- After conducting the internal investigation, the committee will return its findings to the board of directors.
- Government agencies often require contractors to return environmental impact assessments for major projects.
12
to elect or choose a person or political party to hold a position in office
transitive
- In the upcoming election, voters are expected to return the incumbent mayor to office.
- The citizens were eager to return the experienced senator to office.
- Despite a competitive race, the public's trust in the candidate's leadership abilities led them to return him for a second term.
- The charismatic leader, known for his effective governance, was enthusiastically returned by a wide margin.
- The voters expressed their desire for continuity by returning the incumbent governor.
Synonyms:
13
to do, say, or feel something in response to the same action, remark, or feeling from others
transitive
- He did not return her love.
- It's time we returned their invitation.
- When she complimented his presentation skills, he was quick to return the praise.
- As a gesture of gratitude, he decided to return the favor by helping his friend with a challenging task.