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
Relevance
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
Its stock fell nearly 6%, while shares of other asset managers, such as Blackstone and Apollo Global Management, retreated as well.
—
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
The freeskiers, placed on the back end of the Olympic schedule, retreated to Laax, Switzerland, for a week of training.
—Eddie Pells, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
In June 1940, a 49-year-old colonel who had led the French army’s 4th Armored Division in counterattacks against the Germans at Abbeville retreated to London after France surrendered.
—Timothy W. Ryback, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
Over the course of his lifetime, the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier has retreated by about 40 kilometers (25 miles) said Karl Sandgreen, 46, the head of Ilulissat’s Icefjord Center which is dedicated to documenting the glacier and its icebergs.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Soon after, stocks retreated but then recovered.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Witnesses directed officers to the suspect, who had retreated into a nearby apartment and was trying to start a fire inside the unit, said homicide Lt.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Aljorna and Sosa-Celis retreated into their upstairs apartment and barricaded the door, so federal officers used tear gas to try to force the men out, the FBI agent said.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
An impartial onlooker could even reasonably conclude that Trevor took one glance at his opposition and retreated to the safety of a forward-facing position.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
The freeskiers, placed on the back end of the Olympic schedule, retreated to Laax, Switzerland, for a week of training.
—Eddie Pells, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
In June 1940, a 49-year-old colonel who had led the French army’s 4th Armored Division in counterattacks against the Germans at Abbeville retreated to London after France surrendered.
—Timothy W. Ryback, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
Over the course of his lifetime, the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier has retreated by about 40 kilometers (25 miles) said Karl Sandgreen, 46, the head of Ilulissat’s Icefjord Center which is dedicated to documenting the glacier and its icebergs.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Soon after, stocks retreated but then recovered.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Witnesses directed officers to the suspect, who had retreated into a nearby apartment and was trying to start a fire inside the unit, said homicide Lt.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Aljorna and Sosa-Celis retreated into their upstairs apartment and barricaded the door, so federal officers used tear gas to try to force the men out, the FBI agent said.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
An impartial onlooker could even reasonably conclude that Trevor took one glance at his opposition and retreated to the safety of a forward-facing position.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreated
Verb
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But according to the university, the program will not move forward as scheduled, after Weiss’ team withdrew from the event.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Focusing on Mental Health Everything changed when a 24-year-old Simone Biles withdrew from the finals during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, mentioning her mental health struggles.—
Kristy Alpert,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some have fled the city, but most simply have nowhere else to go.—
Caitlin Hu,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The building was set on fire before the killer fled the scene, police said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Illinois bolted an early 15-3 lead as USC stumbled out of the gate, turning the ball over four times in the first six minutes and missing seven of its first eight shots.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Many of them built their businesses on Slack, Zoom, and AI tools, so flexibility and technology are baked into how their firms run—not bolted on as a perk.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Set against a ’90s true-crime backdrop, the fictional character is a female serial killer who targets repeat violent offenders who escaped accountability through power, prestige, or institutional failure.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Few Mexican restaurant chains in the United States — really, just Taco Bell — have escaped this destiny.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Founder Sherille Riley, who previously worked as a facialist for high-end brands like La Prairie and Crème de la Mer, had until recently struggled to shop for K-beauty in person and initially bought the products online – only to run the risk of long shipping times or unknowingly buying a fake.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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His spokesperson said the number of mentions is not unexpected given their long-running ties.—
JULIE CARR SMYTH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreated. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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