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

The officers then retreated from the SUV and gave the man commands to exit the vehicle with his hands up. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026

European indexes, which aren’t tilted as heavily toward technology stocks, also retreated modestly. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated more than 1,800 points, or more than 3%, and the broad market S&P 500 pulled back more than 4%. — Sean Conlon,gina Francolla,christopher Hayes,nick Wells, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Glover’s men retreated, then reformed; the determined British kept marching. — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

After the burglary, Bottiglierivega retreated into her apartment with her children. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

The two hugged as the Lakers retreated to their timeout huddle. — Jason Quick, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

The duo retreated from the public eye after promoting their first album. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Media buyers pushed back, and Amazon is believed to have retreated from some of its highest price demands. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026