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
Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
Around Walt Disney World, guests can also take part in patriotic celebrations with special performances from the Voices of Liberty and the Portraits of Courage gallery at EPCOT, plus see the flag retreat ceremony at Magic Kingdom.
—Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Reg Chapman, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Microsoft last month retreated from adding AI features to its Xbox systems, while surveys show little enthusiasm for putting more AI into apps or devices.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Long Beach has evolved into a bustling coastal retreat but still holds fast to traditions like eating fried clams and digging into Italian ices on a hot day.
—Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
Around Walt Disney World, guests can also take part in patriotic celebrations with special performances from the Voices of Liberty and the Portraits of Courage gallery at EPCOT, plus see the flag retreat ceremony at Magic Kingdom.
—Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Verb
Deputies retreated and heard several more shots being fired, according to Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt.
—Reg Chapman, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Microsoft last month retreated from adding AI features to its Xbox systems, while surveys show little enthusiasm for putting more AI into apps or devices.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
-
Advertisement The agreement, which includes the withdrawal of Russian defensive forces by Armenia from the border, has thus far remained in place.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Does credit card debt qualify for a 401(k) hardship withdrawal?—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
From the pine forests and black swamps to the marsh flats and on to the Gulf, the refuge burgeons with life in ways hard to explain to someone who hasn’t been there.—
Jeff VanderMeer,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
-
Pitcairn is well-known as the island on which Fletcher Christian and other British mutineers from the HMS Bounty took refuge after the 1789 events that toppled Capt.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Thus far, two of Colvin’s lawyers in the civil case have withdrawn, citing nonpayment for their work.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
10 Dec. 2025
-
When the draw opens, there will be a four-day period when fans can only list or withdraw tickets, but not buy them.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
After the shooting, Landry fled the residence and the military base, but he was later arrested during a traffic stop on Interstate 85 by the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
The Sheriff's Office charged him with fleeing and eluding and reckless driving, while FHP filed additional charges.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Sargent has Boston ties Sargent, a Kroger board member since 2006, served as CEO of office supply giant Staples, which is based in suburban Boston, from 2002 until his retirement in 2016.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Dec. 2025
-
And most farm families also have members who work off-farm jobs, often for access to health insurance and retirement benefits.—
Tim Slack,
Fortune,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Two buildings at the Animal Protective League shelter in Springfield were heavily damaged, but none of the nearly 150 cats and 28 dogs housed there were injured, said Deana Corbin, the group's executive director.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
The audit reviewed 14 shelters that hosted 8,885 stays and identified gaps in how the city collects data and measures success.—
Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
From a box-score perspective, Brind’Amour’s case ranks similarly to that of Rick Tocchet, Bill Guerin and Ray Whitney, who are all unlikely to be inducted given other sure-thing candidates about to retire around the league.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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In January 2024, when Chris Hall retired, the business was acquired by Little Engine Ventures, a private investment partnership in Lafayette, Indiana.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The weather service also urged people to avoid windows, and if outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle to seek the closest substantial shelter and to protect themselves from flying debris.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
The Cougars came out of the gate flying, with Ani Woodard registering a hat trick and Emma Whoriskey and Taylor Watts adding goals in the opening frame.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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