1
as in withdrawal
an act of moving away especially from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable
we made a strategic retreat when we realized that we were outnumbered
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refuge
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
her bedroom served as a retreat from the frequent arguing between her parents the abandoned cabin was a welcome retreat from the storm
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
we retreated to the safety of the cellar at the first sign of the tornado
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flee
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the untried soldiers retreated in humiliating disarray almost as soon as the enemy's onslaught began
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Heather Greenwood Davis, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
This 27-room adults-only retreat (that means age 13 and up here), located steps away from Mykonos’ old town, combines modern design with the island's unique natural allure.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 16 July 2025
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Cal Quantrill spent the All-Star break in Ontario, Canada, relaxing by the lake and retreating from the Florida summer humidity.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Blackout curtains and excellent soundproofing make the hotel feel like a retreat, even with occasional fan madness outside.
—Heather Greenwood Davis, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
This 27-room adults-only retreat (that means age 13 and up here), located steps away from Mykonos’ old town, combines modern design with the island's unique natural allure.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 16 July 2025
Verb
Still, the power lunch endures, retreating in periods of economic and moral penny-pinching only to reëmerge when the belts and inhibitions of the ruling class undergo their periodic loosening.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Cal Quantrill spent the All-Star break in Ontario, Canada, relaxing by the lake and retreating from the Florida summer humidity.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
-
In the event of a product recall or withdrawal, CVS Pharmacy works quickly to prevent the item from being sold and to remove it from distribution.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
-
By comparison, a Roth IRA allows for after-tax contributions and tax-free growth and withdrawals.—
Aaron Cirksena,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Some 600 people, most of them children, were given refuge in the church before it was struck, the Patriarchate said in a statement Thursday.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
-
Johnston Atoll, an unincorporated US territory and Pacific island wildlife refuge with a complicated military history, will no longer become a SpaceX reusable rocket test site, Popular Science reports.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
18 July 2025
Verb
-
Due to uncertainties surrounding tariffs and the global economy, Harley has withdrawn its outook for 2025 that had been provided in February.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
31 July 2025
-
Never give into demands to withdraw money in your accounts and take cash to a local crypto ATM.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Villagers flee their homes near the Thai border in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province on July 25, 2025.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Yang’s deportation to Laos – a country her parents were forced to flee following US military intervention – underscores the sweeping and aggressive tactics Trump’s White House is using to expel immigrants.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
The administration is proceeding with offers of early retirement, buyouts, and deferred resignation to federal civil servants.—
Chad Kirchner,
ArsTechnica,
21 July 2025
-
Appearing on the latest episode of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd, released Monday, July 21, the 48-year-old star revealed that his desire for normalcy in a family of entertainers led to his early retirement from the entertainment industry.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Whether that be seeking mental health help from Beacon Mental, one of The Center’s program partners, or going to a shelter, sometimes people have a waiting period or no way to get to the receiving entity.—
Alecia Taylor,
Kansas City Star,
20 July 2025
-
After months of visits (and gifts of fresh coffee) the woman finally expressed interest in staying at a shelter, and leaders were ecstatic about where that might lead.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
The same's true for someone who is retired and taking taxable withdrawals from traditional 401(k) plans.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
-
Merle sold his barbershop the same day and retired.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
On May 9, she was flown to Texas through the Alexandria airport; the next day, she was driven to Mexico in a caravan of buses with other deportees.—
Brent McDonald,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
-
The carrier flies to more than 20 destinations in the U.S. and Mexico, A public charter air carrier, JSX provides service to both major airports like Burbank and Las Vegas and to those not served by major airliners.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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