Top 55 Slang For Return – Meaning & Usage

Whether you’re a seasoned slang enthusiast or just dipping your toes into the world of trendy language, we’ve got you covered with the latest and coolest slang for return. From casual conversations to social media posts, stay ahead of the curve and impress your friends with our carefully curated list. Let’s dive in and level up your linguistic game with these fresh terms!

Click above to generate some slangs

1. Comeback

A clever or witty response to an insult or criticism. A comeback is often used to defend oneself or to turn the tables on an opponent.

For example, if someone insults you, you might respond with a comeback like, “Well, the jerk store called, and they’re running out of you!”
In a friendly banter, one person might say, “Nice try, but I’ve got a comeback for that.”
A comedian might deliver a well-timed comeback during a stand-up routine to generate laughter from the audience.

2. Boomerang

To boomerang means to come back or return in a way that is unexpected or surprising. The term is often used metaphorically to describe a situation or action that has unexpected consequences.

For instance, if someone tries to spread a rumor about you, but it ends up backfiring, you might say, “That rumor really boomeranged on them.”
In a discussion about karma, someone might say, “What goes around, comes around. It always boomerangs.”
A person reflecting on their past actions might say, “I never expected my mistakes to boomerang on me like this.”

3. Round trip

A round trip refers to a journey or travel that goes from one place to another and then back again. The term is often used to describe a ticket or travel arrangement that includes both the outbound and return journey.

For example, “I booked a round trip ticket to New York for the holidays.”
In a conversation about travel plans, someone might ask, “Are you planning a round trip or a one-way trip?”
A person sharing their travel experience might say, “The round trip allowed me to explore multiple cities in one trip.”

4. Backtrack

To backtrack means to reverse course or go back on a previous decision or action. The term is often used to describe a change in direction or a retracing of steps.

For instance, if someone realizes they made a mistake and wants to correct it, they might say, “I need to backtrack and fix this.”
In a discussion about a project, someone might suggest, “Let’s backtrack and review our previous steps to find the error.”
A person reflecting on their past choices might say, “I wish I could backtrack and make different decisions.”

5. Rebound

To rebound means to recover or bounce back from a setback or difficult situation. The term is often used to describe a person’s ability to recover quickly or regain their strength after a challenging experience.

For example, “After losing her job, she rebounded and started her own successful business.”
In a discussion about sports, someone might say, “The team needs to rebound from their recent loss.”
A person sharing their personal journey might say, “I hit rock bottom, but I managed to rebound and turn my life around.”

6. U-turn

This term refers to a complete change in direction, often used in the context of driving. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a change in opinion or behavior.

For example, “I missed my exit, so I had to make a quick U-turn.”
In a discussion about politics, someone might say, “The politician seemed to do a U-turn on their stance.”
Another might comment, “After a series of bad decisions, he finally made a U-turn and started making positive changes in his life.”

7. Regress

To regress means to go back or return to a previous state or condition. It can be used in various contexts, such as personal development, scientific research, or societal progress.

For instance, “After weeks of progress, he seemed to regress and fall back into old habits.”
In a discussion about child psychology, someone might say, “Children with trauma often exhibit signs of regression.”
Another might comment, “The company’s decision to cut corners will only lead to regression in quality.”

8. Recur

To recur means to happen or appear again, often repeatedly or at regular intervals. It can be used to describe patterns, events, or experiences.

For example, “Her migraines recurred every few weeks.”
In a discussion about history, someone might say, “Wars and conflicts often recur throughout human history.”
Another might comment, “The theme of loneliness recurs in many of the author’s novels.”

9. Revert

To revert means to go back to a previous state, condition, or behavior. It implies a return to a previous form or state that was abandoned or changed.

For instance, “After trying a new strategy, the team decided to revert to their original plan.”
In a discussion about software development, someone might say, “If the changes don’t work, we can always revert to the previous version.”
Another might comment, “He promised to change, but he quickly reverted to his old ways.”

10. Retreat

To retreat means to withdraw or move back, often in response to a threat or unfavorable situation. It can also refer to taking a break or stepping away from a situation.

For example, “The soldiers were ordered to retreat in the face of heavy enemy fire.”
In a discussion about self-care, someone might say, “Sometimes, it’s important to retreat and take time for yourself.”
Another might comment, “When faced with criticism, she tends to retreat and avoid confrontation.”

11. Giveback

To give something back or return it to its original owner or place.

For example, “I need to giveback this book to the library.”
A person might say, “I borrowed my friend’s jacket and I need to give it back.”
In a conversation about donations, someone might mention, “It’s important to giveback to the community.”

12. Repay

To pay back money that was borrowed or owed to someone.

For instance, “I need to repay the loan I took from the bank.”
A person might say, “I’ll repay you for the dinner last night.”
In a discussion about favors, someone might mention, “I owe them a favor, so I need to repay it.”

13. Reclaim

To take back or obtain something that was previously owned or possessed.

For example, “I need to reclaim my lost luggage from the airport.”
A person might say, “I want to reclaim my personal space after living with roommates.”
In a conversation about land rights, someone might mention, “Indigenous communities are fighting to reclaim their ancestral lands.”

14. Resurface

To appear or come back to the surface or become visible again.

For instance, “The sun resurfaced after the clouds cleared.”
A person might say, “I thought I lost my keys, but they resurfaced in my jacket pocket.”
In a discussion about old memories, someone might mention, “Seeing an old photograph made those childhood memories resurface.”

15. Resend

To send something again, especially when it was not received or needs to be sent to a different recipient.

For example, “I need to resend the email because it didn’t go through.”
A person might say, “Could you please resend the file? I didn’t receive it.”
In a conversation about online orders, someone might mention, “The package got lost in transit, so they had to resend it.”

16. Renounce

To renounce something means to reject or give up a belief, claim, or right. It can also refer to publicly declaring one’s abandonment of a position or belief.

For example, “After much contemplation, she decided to renounce her allegiance to the political party.”
In a discussion about religious beliefs, someone might say, “I used to be a devout follower, but I’ve since renounced my faith.”
A person might renounce their inheritance by stating, “I renounce any claim to my late father’s estate.”

17. Reciprocate

Reciprocate means to respond to a gesture or action by making a corresponding one. It implies returning a favor or showing a similar level of kindness or generosity.

For instance, if someone invites you to their party, you might reciprocate by inviting them to yours.
In a relationship, one partner might say, “I appreciate how you always reciprocate my love and support.”
A person might reciprocate a kind gesture by saying, “Thank you for your generosity. I’ll make sure to reciprocate in the future.”

18. Revisit

To revisit something means to go back to or consider it again. It can refer to revisiting a physical place or revisiting a topic or idea for further examination.

For example, “During our vacation, we plan to revisit the city where we got engaged.”
In a discussion about a controversial decision, someone might say, “I think it’s time to revisit that policy and consider alternative options.”
A person might revisit a book or movie by stating, “I want to revisit that story and see if my perspective has changed.”

19. Reappear

Reappear means to appear again or become visible after being lost or absent. It implies something or someone returning to a place or being seen again after a period of absence.

For instance, a magician might say, “Watch closely as I make the coin disappear and then reappear in my other hand.”
In a discussion about a missing person, someone might say, “He went missing for months but suddenly reappeared in his hometown.”
A person might see an old friend and say, “It’s been years since we last saw each other. I never thought you would reappear in my life.”

20. Rejoin

Rejoin means to join again or return to a group or activity. It can refer to physically rejoining a group or resuming participation in a conversation or event.

For example, “After taking a break, she decided to rejoin the soccer team for the upcoming season.”
In a discussion about a debate, someone might say, “I have a new perspective to share, so please allow me to rejoin the conversation.”
A person might rejoin a party by stating, “I’m ready to rejoin the festivities and have a great time.”

21. Reconnect

To establish communication or contact with someone again after a period of time. It can refer to reconnecting with an old friend, a former colleague, or a past romantic partner.

For example, “I recently reconnected with my high school best friend on social media.”
A person might say, “I’m planning to reconnect with my old boss to ask for a reference.”
Someone might share, “I reconnected with my ex-girlfriend and we’re giving our relationship another chance.”

22. Reconcile

To resolve or settle a disagreement or conflict and restore a harmonious relationship. It can refer to reconciling with a friend, a family member, or a significant other.

For instance, “After a heated argument, they were able to reconcile and move forward.”
A person might say, “I want to reconcile with my sister after not speaking to her for years.”
Someone might share, “We went to couples therapy to help us reconcile our differences.”

23. Reissue

To release or produce something again, typically a product, a piece of media, or an official document that was previously released or issued.

For example, “The band decided to reissue their debut album with bonus tracks.”
A person might say, “The publisher plans to reissue the classic novel with a new cover.”
Someone might share, “The government announced the reissue of passports with enhanced security features.”

24. Bounce back

To quickly recover from a setback, adversity, or difficult situation and return to a normal or successful state.

For instance, “After losing her job, she was able to bounce back and find a new opportunity.”
A person might say, “I believe in your ability to bounce back from this failure.”
Someone might share, “He faced many challenges, but he always managed to bounce back stronger.”

25. Retrace

To revisit or go back over a path, a route, or a series of steps in order to remember, understand, or find something.

For example, “I retraced my steps to find my lost keys.”
A person might say, “Let’s retrace our route to figure out where we went wrong.”
Someone might share, “I retraced the clues to solve the mystery.”

26. Repatriate

This term refers to the act of returning to one’s own country after living or being in another country. It often implies a voluntary return or the process of being brought back by a government or organization.

For example, a news headline might read, “Thousands of citizens repatriated after being stranded abroad due to the pandemic.”
A person who has been living abroad might say, “I’ve decided to repatriate and settle back in my home country.”
In a discussion about immigration, someone might argue, “It’s important to support policies that facilitate the repatriation of refugees and asylum seekers.”

27. Reemerge

This slang term is used to describe the act of appearing or becoming visible again after a period of absence or hiding. It often implies a sudden or unexpected return.

For instance, a celebrity who has been out of the public eye might “reemerge” with a new project or appearance.
In a discussion about a political figure, someone might say, “After a scandal, they managed to reemerge and regain public support.”
A person who has been dealing with personal issues might say, “I’m finally ready to reemerge and reconnect with the world.”

28. Reacquaint

This term refers to the process of getting to know someone or something again, usually after a period of separation or absence. It implies a renewed or refreshed familiarity.

For example, after a long time apart, old friends might “reacquaint” themselves and catch up on each other’s lives.
In a discussion about a favorite book, someone might say, “I recently reacquainted myself with the story and fell in love with it all over again.”
A person who has taken a break from a hobby might say, “I’m excited to reacquaint myself with painting and explore new techniques.”

29. Reestablish

This term is used to describe the act of restoring or bringing something back into existence, often after it has been lost, broken, or disrupted.

For instance, a company that had to close its doors might “reestablish” itself and reopen for business.
In a discussion about a relationship, someone might say, “After a period of separation, we managed to reestablish our connection and rebuild trust.”
A person who has moved to a new city might say, “I’m working to reestablish my social network and find new friends.”

30. Reincorporate

This slang term refers to the act of merging or integrating something back into a whole or larger entity. It often implies a process of reintegration or assimilation.

For example, a company that was previously spun off might “reincorporate” into its parent company.
In a discussion about a community, someone might say, “We need to find ways to reincorporate marginalized voices and ensure everyone feels included.”
A person who has taken a break from a group might say, “I’m ready to reincorporate myself and contribute to the team’s efforts.”

31. Reintegrate

To reintegrate means to bring something or someone back into a group or system after a period of separation or exclusion.

For example, a teacher might say, “Let’s reintegrate the student who was absent back into the class.”
In a discussion about social integration, someone might argue, “We need to create programs that help reintegrate ex-convicts into society.”
A manager might say, “After the merger, we will need to reintegrate the two teams into one cohesive unit.”

32. Reimburse

To reimburse means to repay someone for money spent or lost.

For instance, if a friend lends you money for dinner, you might say, “I’ll reimburse you tomorrow.”
In a business context, a company might reimburse an employee for travel expenses.
A customer might request, “Can you reimburse me for the defective product I bought?”

33. Replenish

To replenish means to fill something up again or make it full again.

For example, if a water bottle is empty, you might say, “I need to replenish it with more water.”
In a discussion about grocery shopping, someone might say, “I need to go to the store and replenish our food supply.”
A skincare enthusiast might recommend, “After cleansing, make sure to replenish your skin’s moisture with a hydrating serum.”

34. Reinstate

To reinstate means to restore or bring something back to its previous position or state.

For instance, if a student is suspended from school, they might be reinstated after a period of time.
In a political discussion, someone might argue, “We should reinstate the previous policies that were successful.”
An employee might request, “Can you reinstate my access to the company’s database?”

35. Reinvigorate

To reinvigorate means to give new energy or vitality to something or someone.

For example, a motivational speaker might aim to reinvigorate a demotivated audience.
In a discussion about a sports team, someone might say, “We need a new coach to reinvigorate the team.”
A person might decide to take a vacation to reinvigorate themselves after a period of burnout.

36. Recycle

This term refers to the act of reusing materials instead of throwing them away, in order to reduce waste and protect the environment. “Go Green” is a common slogan associated with recycling.

For example, “Remember to recycle your plastic bottles and cans.”
A person discussing environmental conservation might say, “Recycling is an important step towards reducing our carbon footprint.”
Another might encourage others by saying, “Let’s all do our part and go green by recycling!”

37. Reinstatement

This term refers to the act of restoring someone or something to a previous position or state. It often implies that someone or something was temporarily removed or suspended and is now being brought back.

For instance, “After being suspended, the student filed an appeal for reinstatement.”
In a discussion about employment, someone might say, “The company decided to grant her reinstatement after reviewing her case.”
A sports fan might celebrate a player’s return to the team by saying, “Glad to see him back in action after his reinstatement!”

38. Reentry

This term refers to the act of returning to a place or activity after being away for a period of time. It can also refer to a person’s return to society after being incarcerated or isolated.

For example, “After a long vacation, it’s always hard to adjust to reentry into your daily routine.”
Someone might say, “His comeback after injury was inspiring to watch.”
In a discussion about prison reform, a person might argue for better support systems for reentry into society.

39. Reconciliation

This term refers to the act of restoring friendly relations or resolving a conflict between two or more parties. It often involves acknowledging past grievances and working towards a resolution.

For instance, “After a heated argument, they decided to sit down and have a reconciliation talk.”
In a discussion about international relations, someone might say, “Diplomatic efforts are crucial for achieving reconciliation between countries.”
A person reflecting on a personal conflict might say, “Reconciliation requires both parties to be willing to listen and make amends.”

40. Reversion

This term refers to the act of returning to a previous state or condition, often after a period of progress or change. It implies a setback or regression.

For example, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project had to undergo a reversion to its original design.”
In a discussion about personal growth, someone might say, “Sometimes, life throws curveballs and we experience a reversion in our progress.”
A person reflecting on a failed attempt might say, “It’s frustrating when you put in so much effort, only to end up back at square one.”

41. Resumption

The act of starting again or continuing after a pause or interruption.

For example, “After a brief break, the team resumed their practice.”
In a business context, “The resumption of normal operations after a crisis is crucial.”
A student might say, “I need a coffee break before I can resume studying.”

42. Recapture

To regain possession or control of something that was lost or taken.

For instance, “The team recaptured the lead in the final minutes of the game.”
In a personal context, “She recaptured her love for painting after taking a break.”
A photographer might say, “I want to recapture the beauty of this landscape in my next shot.”

43. Rekindle

To revive or reignite something, such as a relationship or passion, that has diminished or been forgotten.

For example, “They rekindled their friendship after years of not speaking.”
In a romantic context, “They decided to rekindle their love and give their relationship another chance.”
A person might say, “I want to rekindle my love for playing the piano.”

44. Reintroduce

To bring something back into existence or reintegrate it into a system or group.

For instance, “The company plans to reintroduce their popular product with a new and improved version.”
In a political context, “The government is considering reintroducing a controversial policy.”
A teacher might say, “I will reintroduce this topic in our next lesson to reinforce the concepts.”

45. Reboot

To restart or refresh a system or process, often in the context of technology or entertainment.

For example, “I had to reboot my computer because it was running slowly.”
In the film industry, “The studio plans to reboot the popular franchise with a new cast and storyline.”
A person might say, “I need to reboot my life and make some positive changes.”

46. Resurgence

This term refers to a sudden increase or revival of something that was previously declining or inactive. It can be used to describe a resurgence in popularity, interest, or success.

For example, “There has been a resurgence of vinyl records in recent years.”
In a discussion about a sports team, one might say, “The team’s resurgence in the second half of the season was impressive.”
A person talking about a fashion trend might comment, “The ’90s fashion is experiencing a resurgence in the current fashion scene.”

47. Regain

To regain means to obtain or acquire something that was previously lost or taken away. It implies the act of getting back what was once possessed.

For instance, “He worked hard to regain his reputation after the scandal.”
In a conversation about personal goals, one might say, “I’m determined to regain my fitness level.”
A person discussing a lost item might say, “I hope to regain my lost wallet by retracing my steps.”

48. Revival

Revival refers to the act or process of bringing something back to life, popularity, or prominence. It can be used to describe the revitalization of a trend, a cultural movement, or an artistic style.

For example, “There has been a revival of interest in classic literature.”
In a discussion about music, one might say, “The band’s reunion tour sparked a revival of their music.”
A person talking about a forgotten tradition might comment, “The community organized a revival of the annual festival.”

49. Recoup

To recoup means to regain or recover something, especially in terms of finances or losses. It often implies the act of recovering or making up for a loss or setback.

For instance, “He hopes to recoup his investment through future profits.”
In a conversation about a failed business venture, one might say, “It will take time to recoup the losses.”
A person discussing a financial setback might comment, “I need to find a way to recoup the money I lost.”

50. Reacquire

Reacquire means to obtain or regain possession or control of something that was previously owned or controlled. It implies the act of getting back what was once possessed or controlled.

For example, “He was able to reacquire his childhood home after it went up for sale.”
In a discussion about a lost item, one might say, “I need to reacquire my misplaced keys.”
A person talking about a company might comment, “The CEO aims to reacquire majority ownership of the company.”

51. Reenter

To go back into a place or situation that you have left before.

For example, “After taking a break, she decided to reenter the workforce.”
In a conversation about space exploration, someone might say, “Astronauts need to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere at a specific angle.”
A student who dropped out of college might say, “I’m planning to reenter school next semester.”

52. Reassimilate

To integrate oneself back into a group or community after being away or isolated for a period of time.

For instance, “After studying abroad, it took some time for her to reassimilate into her home culture.”
In a discussion about veterans returning from war, someone might say, “Many soldiers struggle to reassimilate into civilian life.”
A person who took a sabbatical from work might say, “I’m finding it challenging to reassimilate into the office routine.”

53. Reattach

To fix or reconnect something that has been detached or separated.

For example, “The surgeon was able to reattach the patient’s severed finger.”
In a conversation about home repairs, someone might say, “I need to reattach the doorknob that fell off.”
A person discussing a broken necklace might say, “I was able to reattach the pendant using a small jump ring.”

54. Reawaken

To revive or become aware of something that was dormant or forgotten.

For instance, “The smell of freshly baked cookies can reawaken childhood memories.”
In a discussion about personal growth, someone might say, “Traveling can reawaken a sense of curiosity and wonder.”
A person reflecting on a past passion might say, “I’m trying to reawaken my love for painting.”

55. Reoccur

To happen or appear again after a period of time.

For example, “The symptoms of the illness can reoccur if not properly treated.”
In a conversation about recurring dreams, someone might say, “I have a dream that reoccurs every few months.”
A person discussing historical events might say, “Throughout history, conflicts and disputes tend to reoccur.”