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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
Margot Robbie went there for a yoga and surfing retreat (and encountered a human foot on the beach, but that’s another story).
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 19 May 2025
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Recently, the actor has retreated from public view, and his last remaining fans have taken to expressing concern for his well-being.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Conyers is also the respite for The Monastery of the Holy Spirit, a serene retreat with opportunities for reflection and exploration.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
Margot Robbie went there for a yoga and surfing retreat (and encountered a human foot on the beach, but that’s another story).
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 19 May 2025
Verb
Burrow and the Bengals won’t quietly take the short end of the scheduling stick, specifically against their biggest rival, and retreat to their corner.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Recently, the actor has retreated from public view, and his last remaining fans have taken to expressing concern for his well-being.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
-
The sculpture’s location itself is one of total urban deletion and communicative displacement as much as the sculptural structure is one of perceptual withdrawal and refusal of even a minimum of gratifying tactility.—
Benjamin H. D. Buchloh,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
Israeli media reported that Hamas added new demands to the proposal from U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, including a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and unrestricted humanitarian aid flow into the strip.—
Michael Dorgan , Yonat Friling , Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
The project involves creating a pedestrian refuge island across Illinois Street, and reducing lanes on Illinois Street to include dedicated bike lanes between Riverside Avenue and First Street.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
-
Many North Slope Iñupiat leaders who support drilling in the refuge felt their voices were not heard during the Biden era.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
Acknowledging those headwinds, Mulgrew has since withdrawn the UFT’s support for the the plan, which would have provided the city with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual savings.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
-
Greenwood never played for his boyhood club again, despite the charges being dropped in February 2023 when the prosecution’s main witness withdrew her cooperation.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
But in 1986, after three years of public protests, the Marcoses fled into exile, with a planeload of jewels, cash, and gold bars.—
Evan Osnos,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
-
The suspect who fled the scene of a shooting at McCabe’s bar was arrested on Sunday, according to the DeLand Police Department.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Adjustments were also made to the way retirement payments for federal employees are calculated and dilute tax credits for clean electricity investments.—
Molly Bohannon,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
And that trend invites a question: When will America's retirement age stop rising? Which retailers are raising prices over tariffs?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, the top of a hill, or a ridge top.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 May 2025
-
Kyle and Joe could hear the screams in the shelter, so Joe went to investigate.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Mutombo, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer was the NBA’s first global ambassador after retiring in 2009.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Kotb announced her decision to retire in October 2024, sharing her desire to spend more time with her mother, Sameha Kotb, and her two daughters, 8-year-old Haley, and 5-year-old Hope.—
Sara Vallone,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
This technology allows even those with limited flying experience to handle the bike safely and confidently.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
-
Perez was intentionally walked to load the bases, but the Royals stranded all three runners as Maikel Garcia flew out to right field.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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