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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Its small size is just right for visiting in-laws and can be assembled in your backyard for a private at-home retreat.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 16 Apr. 2025
Adrian Sainz and Travis Loller, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
The police scanner feeds are a prime source of transparency around cop activity, but in the coming months the Oakland Police Department will retreat into its own private, encrypted channels — out of sight from the public.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Prince Louis has not been seen publicly yet in 2025 after the Wales family swerved their usual visit to church in Windsor on Easter Sunday in favor of remaining at Anmer Hall, their country retreat on the Sandringham Estate in the east of England.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Its small size is just right for visiting in-laws and can be assembled in your backyard for a private at-home retreat.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
When marchers retreated to the temple, police fired tear gas inside.
—Adrian Sainz and Travis Loller, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
The police scanner feeds are a prime source of transparency around cop activity, but in the coming months the Oakland Police Department will retreat into its own private, encrypted channels — out of sight from the public.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
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But, while one side sees federal withdrawal as the lever to make that happen, the other warns that such moves risk creating a two-tier disaster system, one for the wealthy, one for the vulnerable.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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For football fans who have been having withdrawals every Sunday (Thursday and Mondays too), the real action is still months away, but at least tomorrow’s NFL Draft can satisfy the itch a little while longer.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Albert Schweitzer, meanwhile, transformed its Cholera Treatment Center into a refuge for those fleeing the violence and after helping Mirebalais’ doctors and nurses flee, provided meals and housing.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
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And further, global investors may feel less inclined to automatically choose the U.S. as their refuge.—
Carrie McCabe,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Rather than a gradual strengthening of local capacity as a way of reimagining how the global development industry operates, the Trump administration’s proposals simply withdraw federal support.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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But with so much uncertainty over both macroeconomic conditions and trade policies, many companies have been giving downbeat second-quarter forecasts and have been withdrawing or balking at revising their full-year projections.—
Lisa Kailai Han,Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The pair then flee into the building’s stairwell, but a wounded, knife-wielding Jimenez follows hot on their tails and another struggle ensues that ends as the victim succumbs to his wounds.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2025
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Six months later, in May 2024, CNN published footage from a security camera at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles showing Ventura fleeing a room, only to be attacked by Combs, who is seen wearing a white towel around his waist and socks.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Noun
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Employees at the Environmental Protection Agency got another nudge toward the door in an email offering a second chance at voluntary retirement or deferred resignation.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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For example, Illinois faces a significant shortage of nurses — nearly 15,000 at last count — and half the state’s nurses are older than 55, with many considering retirement in the next five years.—
Arne Duncan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Stay away from open fields, hill summits, or ridge tops.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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The evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage provides shelter to wintering birds.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Waltz retired from the National Guard last fall at the rank of colonel.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Final Few Boxes include last-chance style that the brand is retiring.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Conerly and several family members flew from Seattle to the other Washington.—
Ben Standig,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Chicago nearly tied it when Edgar Quero flew out to deep right field on a ball Lawrence Butler caught right in front of the wall.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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