reply vs return

reply and return both are nouns.

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

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

reply: the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
return: a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)

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

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

reply (noun)	return (noun)
the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange	the act of going back to a prior location
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation	a coming to or returning home
	getting something back again
	a tennis stroke that sends the ball back to the other player
	(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

reply (verb)	return (verb)
react verbally	go back to a previous state
	be restored
	go back to something earlier
	answer back
	submit (a report, etc.) to someone in authority
	pass down
	make a return
	give or supply
	go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
	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