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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
This is just another step along David Zaslav’s retreat from the cable business and from his original vision for WBD.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
In the heat of the day, desert-dwelling snakes will retreat into shade or rodent burrows to shield themselves from the scorching sun.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Men are joining their wives for medical appointments, going to menopause retreats, and making TikTok videos and documentaries.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
This is just another step along David Zaslav’s retreat from the cable business and from his original vision for WBD.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
The family of five's time off included a visit to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the royals traditionally retreat in August.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
In the heat of the day, desert-dwelling snakes will retreat into shade or rodent burrows to shield themselves from the scorching sun.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
-
China expanded its activities in the South China Sea following the US withdrawal, building artificial islands and military outposts.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, and its leaves are used to create products that some say help treat pain, anxiety, depression and help with opioid withdrawal.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Legendary actor Marlon Brando bought this French Polynesia refuge in the 1960s—after filming Mutiny on the Bounty nearby—and his estate has transformed it into an eco-luxe private island paradise.—
Jennifer Kester,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Charlotte had been her refuge from the violence abroad, but now Zarutska lost her life there.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The reaction to this was dynamic, which for some meant withdrawing from opportunities and for others contributed to burnout and decisions to leave their jobs altogether.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
But Russia's prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, signed a decree proposed by the Cabinet on August 25 to withdraw from the convention, and Putin has now submitted this to the Duma, which is likely to rubber stamp it.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Police reported the suspect got into an awaiting black SUV driven by a second suspect, and the pair fled the scene.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Routh allegedly fled after the agent fired at him, and was later arrested after being stopped on a nearby interstate.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At the same time, lawmakers had capped the agency’s administrative funding just as tens of millions of Baby Boomers were aging into retirement, exploding Social Security’s rolls.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
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About six months after Aerosmith announced their retirement, Tyler took to the stage at his Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Maxwell pitched a scoreless, and then Connor Phillips, a relative veteran with 18 big-league appearances on his resume, worked around a walk to retire the top of the Padres’ order and earned the win following Tyler Stephenson’s homer.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Rutherford, who retired in 2021 but previously worked with Barth on certain programs, said Barth’s expertise was particularly useful in dealing with challenges that most people don’t fully consider.—
Nathan Ansell,
Arkansas Online,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While some travelers choose to fly on Thanksgiving Day for lower prices and crowds, most leave at least a day early to avoid the risk of cancellations or delays upending their holiday plans.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Two games in, though, the Packers have passed both tests with flying colors.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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