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
Gerson believes the gangs have retreated.
—
Johnny Fils-Aimé, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Runner-up Sabalenka, meanwhile, retreated to another area, smashed her racket until the frame buckled and sat with her back against the wall, next to the scratch marks left on the floor.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
The Sweets, his brothers Otis and Henry and seven friends retreated to the second floor.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Eventually, Mary retreated to her family’s ancestral house in Kerala, presided over by an almost blind grandmother, a censorious great-aunt, and a Rhodes Scholar uncle who held forth at dinner about Dionysus.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
Now corporate America has retreated from DEI and slashed thousands of jobs.
—September 2, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
But this transnational polity of 150,000 members across five continents has remained stable even as democracy has retreated elsewhere around the globe.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Many potential buyers have retreated to the sidelines of the markets due to sky-high home prices, historically elevated mortgage rates (still hovering around the 7 percent mark), and other rising housing costs like home insurance premiums, property taxes, and homeowner association (HOA) fees.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Gibby descended into a nearly fatal spiral of drugs and public outrage, while Paul and King retreated to Austin.
—Pat Blashill, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
Johnny Fils-Aimé, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Runner-up Sabalenka, meanwhile, retreated to another area, smashed her racket until the frame buckled and sat with her back against the wall, next to the scratch marks left on the floor.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
The Sweets, his brothers Otis and Henry and seven friends retreated to the second floor.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Eventually, Mary retreated to her family’s ancestral house in Kerala, presided over by an almost blind grandmother, a censorious great-aunt, and a Rhodes Scholar uncle who held forth at dinner about Dionysus.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
Now corporate America has retreated from DEI and slashed thousands of jobs.
—September 2, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
But this transnational polity of 150,000 members across five continents has remained stable even as democracy has retreated elsewhere around the globe.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Many potential buyers have retreated to the sidelines of the markets due to sky-high home prices, historically elevated mortgage rates (still hovering around the 7 percent mark), and other rising housing costs like home insurance premiums, property taxes, and homeowner association (HOA) fees.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Gibby descended into a nearly fatal spiral of drugs and public outrage, while Paul and King retreated to Austin.
—Pat Blashill, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreated
Verb
-
Just a day before Amtrak unveiled its new Acela trains, his department withdrew another $175 million earmarked for California rail projects.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
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In January 2023, Imavov was booked to face Kelvin Gastelum, but that fight fell apart when Gastelum withdrew.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The vehicle that Routh had fled in — the black Nissan Xterra — also bore a license plate that was not registered to the car, according to the court filing.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Twelve days after Smith fled, authorities received a call that two men had been shot while on a hunting trip near Kiana.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cal Poly bolted 75 yards on nine plays for its first TD, a 12-yard pass from 6-foot-6 Ty Dieffenbach to Michael Briscoe.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
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In the second quarter Friday night, Beatty bolted down the middle of the field to catch Altmyer’s pass.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Two 12-year-old girls escaped the fire.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Families escaped to calm waters for canoeing, hiking, and long afternoons spent idling on the shore.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The country is also the site of the Western Hemisphere’s longest-running internal armed conflict, and constitutionally requires all men between the ages of 18 and 24 to undertake some form of military service.—
Rebecca Johns,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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Zorian Palmore, who saw time at running back and quarterback, ran for a team-high 68 yards for Trinity.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreated. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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