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
Frank Sinatra entertained at his Twin Palms estate; Marilyn Monroe retreated here between films, and Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in an A-frame hideaway steps from downtown.
—
Christina Pérez, Vogue, 8 May 2026
After 20 minutes or so, the protesters retreated.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
The teachers retreated, some taking cover in the room.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Tatum briefly retreated toward the locker room during the third quarter of the Celtics’ 106-93 defeat at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday night.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
Coe reportedly was hospitalized several years ago with Covid-19 and had mostly retreated from public appearances since then, though it is not known whether Covid played a part in his passing.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
After the goring, the animal retreated back into the reserve when scared off by other patrol members.
—Ryan Brennan
april 27, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Another team member suffered minor injuries, and the rhino retreated back into the reserve unharmed.
—Ryan Brennan
april 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Shares retreated in Asia and oil prices gained on Tuesday as diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war once again appeared to stall.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Christina Pérez, Vogue, 8 May 2026
After 20 minutes or so, the protesters retreated.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 6 May 2026
The teachers retreated, some taking cover in the room.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Tatum briefly retreated toward the locker room during the third quarter of the Celtics’ 106-93 defeat at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday night.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
Coe reportedly was hospitalized several years ago with Covid-19 and had mostly retreated from public appearances since then, though it is not known whether Covid played a part in his passing.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
After the goring, the animal retreated back into the reserve when scared off by other patrol members.
—Ryan Brennan
april 27, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Another team member suffered minor injuries, and the rhino retreated back into the reserve unharmed.
—Ryan Brennan
april 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Shares retreated in Asia and oil prices gained on Tuesday as diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war once again appeared to stall.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreated
Verb
-
Days after four Republican candidates withdrew from the upcoming Platte County election and launched independent campaigns, the county’s Republican committee announced plans to censure those candidates and deem them unwelcome within the party.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
-
Polling from March shows Becerra with just 3% of the vote, indicating a 7-point increase for Becerra between then and Emerson’s most recent survey, conducted right after Swalwell withdrew.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Semrade fled the station immediately after the attack, leaving Ozsoy critically injured on the platform.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
After shooting Ligdis in the head, Kendall fled the area, leaving his son behind with his dying mother.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Moments later, the pair bolted.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
Following the chaotic ending Lynch, as was his custom, bolted almost immediately from the stadium.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Last night, the Knicks barely escaped over the 76ers, and the Spurs blew out the Timberwolves.—
David Troy,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
In another case, a female monkey escaped her cage due to a welding failure, according to the inspection report.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Miller, who has loaned his campaign $4 million so far, ran a 30-second campaign ad on NBC4 between the evening’s mayoral and gubernatorial debates.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Gerard Moorer, 42, of Chicago, who served as Davis’ deputy district director and ran unsuccessfully for the statehouse himself in 2020, was charged in the nine-page indictment with three counts of wire fraud, each of which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreated. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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