General noun for returning, a reaction, or recovery. Often used in compounds like 戻り道 (return path) or 戻りが悪い (poor recovery/reaction).
I'm waiting for him to come back.
I'm waiting for his return.
This switch has a slow return (reaction).
Computing term: the value or control returned from a function or procedure.
Assign the return value of the function to a variable.
I think I'll be late getting back today.
I stopped by the supermarket on the way back.
The return train was crowded.
帰り specifically means returning to one's home or starting point, while 戻り is broader and can mean going back to a previous state or place, often in compounds like 戻り道.
retrogression; reversal; relapse; doubling back; backtracking
going back; turning back; backtracking · regression; relapse; returning to a bad state
divorced woman returning to her parents' home; returning to one's parents after divorce · returning to a former workplace; boomerang employee · departing from and returning to the same port
slight recovery; small rally
return value
Standard kanji form; high-frequency news and common usage.
Noun form of the verb 戻る (もどる, to return). The kanji 戻 means 'return' or 'go back'.
going and returning; round trip · divorced woman