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
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
The backdrop was The Plough at Cadsden, a 16th-century pub that’s popular among walkers along The Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest road, and just a short drive from Chequers, the country retreat for UK leaders.
—Brendan Murray, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 28 Jan. 2026
Between the whip lash of braving icy winds and retreating to heat-blasting apartments, nearly every skin type can start to feel off-balance.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Like at many silent retreat facilities, daily itineraries at Springwater are kept purposely unstructured, revolving around multiple 25-minute rounds of silent sitting meditation with seven minutes of walking in between.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
The backdrop was The Plough at Cadsden, a 16th-century pub that’s popular among walkers along The Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest road, and just a short drive from Chequers, the country retreat for UK leaders.
—Brendan Murray, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Grant, increasingly averse to crowds and scrutiny, retreated from the spectacle even as public fascination intensified.
—Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 28 Jan. 2026
Between the whip lash of braving icy winds and retreating to heat-blasting apartments, nearly every skin type can start to feel off-balance.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
-
The work offered by Alban isn’t sufficient for the couple to make a living, least of all in a new-to-them urban economy where everything from renting an apartment to making a bank withdrawal comes with hidden costs.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Symptoms include cravings, unsuccessful quit attempts, tolerance and withdrawal.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Wild Wonders typically runs more than 1,000 onsite and offsite educational programs each year, ranging from behind-the-scenes tours of the private wildlife refuge to zoo camps and sunset safaris.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Their apartment only offers the slightest refuge from outside forces, and their real home is each other, which — as any siblings know — isn’t always an easy fit.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Canadian national team skeleton coach Joe Cecchini has spoken out about the sudden national controversy surrounding his team's decision to withdraw athletes from an Olympic qualifier, costing American Katie Uhlaender a chance to make the Milan Cortina Winter Games.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Today, demand from institutional investors, corporate buyers, and long-term holders can contribute toward upward pressure on the Bitcoin price, especially when liquid supply is withdrawn or locked away.—
Jason Phillips,
Ascend Agency,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The suspect fled the area before police arrived.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Salazarmontano also admitted sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter and inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The four-time World Cup champion and 2010 Olympic women’s downhill gold medalist is in the midst of an extraordinary comeback to Alpine skiing, emerging in 2024 from a five-year retirement.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Advocate improves employees’ health and retirement The company is also allocating $40 million to enhance program benefits, including offering free virtual care and expanded support for mental health, women’s health and menopause care.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The city coordinates with community partners like Jericho Way to ensure transportation and shelter for homeless residents during periods when the city's temporary emergency shelter is demobilized.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
National organizations like the American Red Cross deployed more than 1,600 disaster workers and opened warming shelters in two dozen states.—
Cat Ward,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Two of her fellow teacher-in-space contenders - both retired now - attended a memorial ceremony last week as the families of the astronauts gathered back at the launch site.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Adam Wainwright played for Team USA in the final year of his career in 2023, and Clayton Kershaw will play for America this year despite retiring after last season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This is like ignoring weather conditions when flying an airplane.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Narcotraffickers have recruited a number of couriers to fly to Miami and other cities to set up phony businesses with corporate bank accounts, authorities say.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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