Returning: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'returning' when you want to talk about going back to a place or state that was previously left or changed.

• After traveling for a year, she was looking forward to returning home.
• The soldiers are finally returning from their mission.

Use 'restoring' when you talk about bringing something back to its original condition, size, or state, such as an old building, relationship, or system.

• They are dedicated to restoring the historic monument to its original grandeur.
• Restoring trust after a betrayal takes time and effort.

Use 'restitution' when referring to the act of giving back something that was lost or stolen or compensating for a loss or damage. It often has a formal or legal tone.

• The court ordered the thief to pay restitution to his victims.
• She sought restitution for the damage caused to her property.

Use 'recovery' when referring to the process of getting better from an illness, injury, or a difficult situation.

• His recovery after the surgery was quicker than expected.
• Economic recovery can take several years after a major recession.

Used when someone or something comes back to a previous place or state, often after a period of time.

• She is returning from her vacation next week.
• The soldiers are returning home after the mission.

Informal way to describe someone’s or something’s return, typically used in everyday conversation.

• He is coming back from the store.
• When are you coming back to the office?

Emphasizes the act of returning to a place or situation that was left, often used to show a decision or intention.

• She is going back to school to finish her degree.
• We are going back to our hometown for the holidays.

Describes the act of returning to a previous state, condition, or behavior, often implying a regressive change. It can have a negative connotation.

• After the temporary improvement, the patient started reverting to his old symptoms.
• Despite their efforts, the project is reverting to its initial problematic state.