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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Their relationship was headline-making, and the property offered a quiet escape from London, with Hamilton said to have rented it as a weekend retreat.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2026
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
With a spacious design, durable construction, and charming look, it’s bound to be your go-to retreat for morning coffee, afternoon reading, or evening relaxing.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
What if the most powerful longevity formula isn’t a supplement, a biohacking protocol or an expensive retreat — but the daily routine of an Italian grandmother?
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Their relationship was headline-making, and the property offered a quiet escape from London, with Hamilton said to have rented it as a weekend retreat.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Vince has retreated from the public.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
With a spacious design, durable construction, and charming look, it’s bound to be your go-to retreat for morning coffee, afternoon reading, or evening relaxing.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
-
Britain’s strategic significance for the United States eroded further with Brexit, starting in 2016 with the approval of a referendum to leave the European Union and the formal withdrawal four years later.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The government later broke ties with France, the former colonial power, and expelled the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA), which completed its withdrawal in 2023, ending a decade-long presence in the country.—
Jewel Bright,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and cover your head, or leave your vehicle and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The definition of refuge is shelter, protection or safety from danger.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In September 2025, the City Council voted to explore whether Los Angeles could withdraw all legally allowable homelessness funding from LAHSA and instead contract with the county’s new homelessness department.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The many attending assistants around her eventually disperse — a little hesitantly because Sam is in the middle of preparing a new show — and the two withdraw to Sam’s cavernous studio.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The suspect fled from the hospital after the shooting and was later taken into custody, where a weapon was recovered, the Police Department said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In May 2020, sheriff’s deputy Aaron Russell, who was assigned to the Central Jail, shot and killed 36-year-old Nicholas Bils as Bils fled, unarmed, after slipping out of handcuffs just outside the facility.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Millions of Americans are turning to AI chatbots for help with their finances, asking about budgets, debt payoff plans, retirement strategies and investment options.—
Michelle Singletary,
Washington Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Her elevation to the appellate court would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Richard Huffman.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Every day, about 300 people come to the center to rest, get their mail, wash, have some food or find out about shelter availability.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Nearly 70% also supported caps on rent increases, while 44% of voters wanted the city to focus on building short-term homeless shelters to get people off the streets, compared with 25% who wanted to focus on permanent housing with services.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These threats are something Shojaei and her family know all too well — her brother Masoud, who is retired from playing, has had his assets frozen by the Iranian regime over recent weeks — while their neighbourhood was bombed by the US-Israeli offensive.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
He was forced to retire amid his battle with MS, which affects communication between the brain and body.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For so long this season, Arsenal were flying high at the summit of the division and looked destined to end their 22-year wait for the title.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
There are flying cars held at bay by the power of telekenesis and Park teleporting, as the crew clumsily accept their new ‘hero’ roles and attempt to take on the villains threatening the peace of Haeseong City.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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