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
In the time since, many have retreated; not just in fashion, but across industries.
—
Bella Webb, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Lawrence, once an interview-show staple, has retreated from the spotlight in recent years, choosing her movie roles sparingly and closely guarding her private life.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Councilmember Stephen Whitburn proposed softer water rate hikes of either 5% or 10% in 2026 but retreated when city staff and the IBA said those proposals would require mass layoffs and threaten the city’s credit rating.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers team mobbed Freeman at home plate as the Blue Jays retreated to their clubhouse to lick their wounds with roughly 17 hours until the teams will do it all again in Game 4 Tuesday night.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Soon afterward, Bynum retreated to an empty hospital room, trying to process his feelings about the unexpected complication.
—Charlotte Huff, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
At one point in the third quarter, Daniels scrambled against a blitz, stopped to throw, then retreated again 14 yards behind the line of scrimmage and completed a pass while getting crushed to the ground.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Yet, when countered with decisiveness, Putin has retreated.
—Kathleen Collins, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
These included old buttons and belts, suggesting that the remains represented soldiers of Napoleon’s army who had retreated from Russia in 1812.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
Bella Webb, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Lawrence, once an interview-show staple, has retreated from the spotlight in recent years, choosing her movie roles sparingly and closely guarding her private life.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Councilmember Stephen Whitburn proposed softer water rate hikes of either 5% or 10% in 2026 but retreated when city staff and the IBA said those proposals would require mass layoffs and threaten the city’s credit rating.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers team mobbed Freeman at home plate as the Blue Jays retreated to their clubhouse to lick their wounds with roughly 17 hours until the teams will do it all again in Game 4 Tuesday night.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Soon afterward, Bynum retreated to an empty hospital room, trying to process his feelings about the unexpected complication.
—Charlotte Huff, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
At one point in the third quarter, Daniels scrambled against a blitz, stopped to throw, then retreated again 14 yards behind the line of scrimmage and completed a pass while getting crushed to the ground.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Yet, when countered with decisiveness, Putin has retreated.
—Kathleen Collins, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
These included old buttons and belts, suggesting that the remains represented soldiers of Napoleon’s army who had retreated from Russia in 1812.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreated
Verb
-
The South American country withdrew visa-free access in April in response to the three countries barring Brazilian passport holders from visa-free access.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The South African played this weekend in the PGA Tour's Bank of Utah Championship, but withdrew after the first round.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Quiroga Chaparro fled Colombia to escape persecution based on his sexuality after attending a gay pride event, his husband said.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Bazyan’s mother fled to a neighbor’s home and called police.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
San Juan Hills bolted to a 6-0 lead in the third set and, with Hodges scoring on kills and blocks, went on to its 25-11 win to go ahead in sets 2-1.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In Van Horn, ninety miles southwest of Pecos, the shelter consisted of four outdoor cages bolted to a concrete pad.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then Tottenham, another of this season’s strongest starters, escaped with a win at Elland Road when the hosts deserved at least a draw, if not more.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Under the pretense of going to the bathroom, Dunne escaped out the window and took off in her car, which Sweeney jumped the hood of.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Palace’s super-strength is low crosses provided by flying wing-backs, when they can be released, running into space on the edge of the box.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Frouman was President of international at North Road since its inception and ran the operation from the UK capital.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreated. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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