Synonyms of retreat

retreat 1 of 2

noun

ri-ˈtrēt 

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

• withdrawal
• retirement
• pullout
• pullback
• recession
• rout
• recoil
• disengagement
• revulsion
• shrinking
• flinch
• disentanglement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advance
• advancement

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

• refuge
• shelter
• sanctuary
• haven
• residence
• asylum
• oasis
• lodging
• harbor
• bolt-hole
• sanctum
• abode
• hideout
• dwelling
• rest
• housing
• harborage
• quarters
• house
• port
• anchorage
• fortress
• stronghold
• domicile
• place
• mooring
• hideaway
• fort
• roof
• screen
• cloister
• den
• habitation
• castle
• lair
• pad
• cover
• closet
• shed
• hermitage
• diggings
• palisade
• redoubt
• lodgment
• lee
• windbreak
• covert
• fastness
• lean-to

retreat

2 of 2

verb

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

• withdraw
• retire
• flee
• fall back
• pull out
• recede
• evacuate
• drop back
• give way
• back away
• lose ground
• fly
• leave
• give ground
• flinch
• recoil
• shrink
• detach
• go
• chicken (out)
• disengage
• pull away
• abandon
• depart
• climb down
• vacate
• backtrack
• bow out
• back down
• quit
• disentangle
• backpedal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advance
• confront
• face
• breast
• dare
• beard
• brave
• defy
• outbrave
• brazen

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

• flee
• fly
• escape
• bolt
• run
• break
• run away
• beat a retreat
• run off
• skedaddle
• hightail (it)
• turn tail
• beat it
• bug out
• make tracks
• get (away)
• get out
• abscond
• skip (out)
• decamp
• clear out
• elope
• scram
• make off
• light out
• scat
• lam
• skirr
• scarper
• mizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confront
• dare
• face
• beard
• stay
• defy
• remain
• brave
• dwell
• linger
• abide
• hang around
• stick around
• tarry

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb retreat contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of retreat are back, recede, and retract. While all these words mean "to move backward," retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached.

retreating soldiers

When is back a more appropriate choice than retreat?

The words back and retreat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion.

backed off on the throttle

When would recede be a good substitute for retreat?

While the synonyms recede and retreat are close in meaning, recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space.

the flood waters gradually receded

When could retract be used to replace retreat?

The words retract and retreat can be used in similar contexts, but retract implies drawing back from an extended position.

a cat retracting its claws

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retreat

Noun

No-phone retreats, unplugged travel packages and school restrictions have already normalized the idea that some environments simply don’t include constant connectivity. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

The retreat of public funding from global development has created gaps that governments and nonprofits cannot fill alone. — Deirdre White, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

When glaciers retreat, the result can create glacial lakes prone to outburst floods and unstable slopes prone to landslides like Nepal experienced. — Tarun Gopalakrishnan, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

The film, which Variety unveiled last year, follows Sethu and Nikita, who, in the wake of their young daughter’s death, retreat to an isolated house in the hills of Idukki in the southern Indian state of Kerala. — Ed Meza, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing retreat

• beat a retreat