Synonyms of retreated

retreated

verb

past tense of retreat

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

• withdrew
• retired
• fled
• receded
• evacuated
• pulled out
• fell back
• dropped back
• lost ground
• flew
• gave way
• backed away
• left
• shrank
• recoiled
• flinched
• gave ground
• detached
• went
• departed
• abandoned
• vacated
• backtracked
• disengaged
• climbed down
• backpedaled
• pulled away
• backed down
• quit
• bowed out
• disentangled
• chickened (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advanced
• confronted
• faced
• dared
• defied
• braved
• bearded
• breasted
• brazened
• outbraved

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

• fled
• flew
• bolted
• escaped
• ran
• broke
• skedaddled
• ran away
• beat a retreat
• ran off
• turned tail
• beat it
• hightailed (it)
• made tracks
• decamped
• bugged out
• absconded
• got (away)
• lit
• eloped
• got out
• scrammed
• made off
• skipped (out)
• cleared out
• scarpered
• lammed
• scatted
• mizzled
• skirred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confronted
• faced
• dared
• remained
• defied
• braved
• bearded
• stayed
• lingered
• dwelled
• tarried
• hung around
• abided
• stuck around

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retreated

As the Laurentide retreated across the plateau, tundra plants colonized the newly bare ground. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026

As the world has become more and more connected, governments have retreated from global problems. — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Officers retreated and called for backup, but officials said the suspect fired shots at police. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026

Once promoted by her husband as a possible successor in the Governor’s Mansion, Casey DeSantis has since largely retreated from public view. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

The show then immediately followed it up with a pair of episodes in which Daniela, having retreated to the remote family lake house of her youth, winds up interacting with Gabriel, the father of her Analog World equivalent. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, conservative activists spread rumors last week that Talarico was struggling with his mental health and had secretly retreated to an Ohio hospital. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

Although the regime has retreated from enforcing compulsory veiling, the opposition movement has continued to radicalize. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Budgets have tightened and commissioners have retreated to the familiar — backing low-cost dramas and safe-bet crime formats. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026