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

In the pandemic years, demographic experts say, under-35 adults retreated to parental homes to ride out quarantines and escape big-city crowds. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Disposable income has since retreated to the normal upward trendline, but no matter. — Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Other businesses have retreated from their own pledges as the US federal government rolled back environmental standards and sought to curb sustainability initiatives. — Matt Day, Fortune, 9 July 2026

Latvala retreated from public view but was still active in politics. — Michael Van Sickler, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

McBreairty then retreated into the riverbed, and SWAT officers were called in to assist with the search, as were members of the Police Department’s Emergency Negotiation Team. — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2026

Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Prices have since eased, but household chicken-keeping has not retreated with them. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026

Oakes recalled that the encounter lasted for about a minute before the grizzly bear retreated, leaving her and Skoki shaken but unharmed. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 30 June 2026