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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of retreat
Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
This oversized throw blanket comes in queen and king sizes to make your bed feel like an airy retreat on the hottest nights.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
Their near miss underscores the threat to ships and local communities as retreating glaciers destabilize the landscape.
—Megan I. Gannon, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Some mountaineers may have regarded the retreat as a failure of nerve.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
This oversized throw blanket comes in queen and king sizes to make your bed feel like an airy retreat on the hottest nights.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
Mindfulness programming is where retreats either invest or coast.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
Their near miss underscores the threat to ships and local communities as retreating glaciers destabilize the landscape.
—Megan I. Gannon, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
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Investigators also learned that, at the time Prindle was discovered dead, a card in her name was still being used to make payments on an active utilities account, and English-Wheat used the same card to make at least four withdrawals in October 2025, police said.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
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And withdrawal from 7-OH can last significantly longer than traditional opioid withdrawal — up to three months — a factor that complicates treatment and increases the risk of relapse, according to the International Society of Substance Use Professionals.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Velasco said families have fled to nearby towns, where many now take refuge in a soccer field.—
Megan Janetsky,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
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For many, getting those resources meant seeking refuge away from Grizzly Flats.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
His is a more enlightened era, but Hannes, lonely and withdrawn, doesn’t share his classmates’ interest in campus sit-ins and free love.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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Days after four Republican candidates withdrew from the upcoming Platte County election and launched independent campaigns, the county’s Republican committee announced plans to censure those candidates and deem them unwelcome within the party.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Velasco said families have fled to nearby towns, where many now take refuge in a soccer field.—
Megan Janetsky,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
-
The suspect also shot a woman, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, before fleeing the scene, according to police.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
This is driven, in part, by a mass exodus of nurses reaching retirement age.—
Nicholas A. Giordano,
STAT,
8 May 2026
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Fidelity’s guidance on finances after divorce warns that neglecting to update beneficiaries on bank and retirement accounts and life insurance policies is a common error, and that those designations can supersede wills and trusts.—
Rebecca L. Palmer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Wu’s office said the veterans department will continue to provide core services to all qualifying veterans and provide financial and medical assistance to qualifying veterans and their dependents with limited incomes for food, shelter, clothing, and medical care, as required by state law.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
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This rock hollowed out by erosion and walled up with stones was likely used by shepherds as a shelter near the historic Sardinian village of Tempio Pausania.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Mary Brown retired after coaching boys and girls volleyball in the district for 19 years, including the past eight years with the Knights’ boys team.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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But, after the couple retired and migrated south to Mexico City, Hurst dove back into photography with gusto, until his death, from cancer, in 2023.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The passenger's 69-year-old wife leaves and flies to South Africa.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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Passengers were already paying more to fly – even before the industry lost the budget airline famous for pushing fares lower.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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