1
as in withdrew
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fled
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 retreated
In the time since, many have retreated; not just in fashion, but across industries.
—
Bella Webb, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Lawrence, once an interview-show staple, has retreated from the spotlight in recent years, choosing her movie roles sparingly and closely guarding her private life.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Councilmember Stephen Whitburn proposed softer water rate hikes of either 5% or 10% in 2026 but retreated when city staff and the IBA said those proposals would require mass layoffs and threaten the city’s credit rating.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers team mobbed Freeman at home plate as the Blue Jays retreated to their clubhouse to lick their wounds with roughly 17 hours until the teams will do it all again in Game 4 Tuesday night.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Soon afterward, Bynum retreated to an empty hospital room, trying to process his feelings about the unexpected complication.
—Charlotte Huff, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
At one point in the third quarter, Daniels scrambled against a blitz, stopped to throw, then retreated again 14 yards behind the line of scrimmage and completed a pass while getting crushed to the ground.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Yet, when countered with decisiveness, Putin has retreated.
—Kathleen Collins, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
These included old buttons and belts, suggesting that the remains represented soldiers of Napoleon’s army who had retreated from Russia in 1812.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
Bella Webb, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Lawrence, once an interview-show staple, has retreated from the spotlight in recent years, choosing her movie roles sparingly and closely guarding her private life.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Councilmember Stephen Whitburn proposed softer water rate hikes of either 5% or 10% in 2026 but retreated when city staff and the IBA said those proposals would require mass layoffs and threaten the city’s credit rating.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers team mobbed Freeman at home plate as the Blue Jays retreated to their clubhouse to lick their wounds with roughly 17 hours until the teams will do it all again in Game 4 Tuesday night.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Soon afterward, Bynum retreated to an empty hospital room, trying to process his feelings about the unexpected complication.
—Charlotte Huff, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
At one point in the third quarter, Daniels scrambled against a blitz, stopped to throw, then retreated again 14 yards behind the line of scrimmage and completed a pass while getting crushed to the ground.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Yet, when countered with decisiveness, Putin has retreated.
—Kathleen Collins, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
These included old buttons and belts, suggesting that the remains represented soldiers of Napoleon’s army who had retreated from Russia in 1812.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreated
Verb
-
After occupying Sinai, Britain and France succumbed to international pressure and withdrew their forces from Egypt in November.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics withdrew its guidance that said potential allergens should be avoided for high-risk babies, but didn’t have enough data to recommend introducing them early.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Kneeland fled on foot, police reported.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Knapton is said to have then fired five more shots as the burglary suspects fled, then went back into his home, reloaded, and went back outside again.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
San Juan Hills bolted to a 6-0 lead in the third set and, with Hodges scoring on kills and blocks, went on to its 25-11 win to go ahead in sets 2-1.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In Van Horn, ninety miles southwest of Pecos, the shelter consisted of four outdoor cages bolted to a concrete pad.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Other businesses, including a nearby convention center, restaurant and Ford assembly plant, escaped the blaze.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The mailman paused, checking to see if anyone had noticed or knew the puppy had escaped.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Both have spent heavily in the transfer market this year — City around £180million in January and a further £220m in the summer, Liverpool just short of £450m this summer — but very few of the incoming players have hit the ground running.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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The venue will run limited weekday hours, with longer sessions on weekends.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreated. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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