answer vs return

answer and return both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
answer	Yes	No	Yes	No
return	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, return is a hyponym of answer; that is, return is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than answer:

Other hyponyms of answer include call back, counter, field, sass, come back, rejoin, repay, retort, riposte, bridle.

answer (noun)	return (noun)
a nonverbal reaction	the act of going back to a prior location
the speech act of replying to a question	a coming to or returning home
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation	getting something back again
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem	a tennis stroke that sends the ball back to the other player
the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims	(American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble
	a reciprocal group action
	the act of someone appearing again
	the key on electric typewriters or computer keyboards that causes a carriage return and a line feed
	document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability
	a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
	happening again (especially at regular intervals)
	the occurrence of a change in direction back in the opposite direction
	the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

answer (verb)	return (verb)
give the correct answer or solution to	go back to a previous state
respond to a signal	be restored
understand the meaning of	go back to something earlier
react to a stimulus or command	answer back
react verbally	submit (a report, etc.) to someone in authority
give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)	pass down
be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of	make a return
match or correspond	give or supply
be liable or accountable	go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity	return to a previous position; in mathematics
	bring back to the point of departure
	pay back
	return in kind
	give back
	be inherited by
	elect again