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
Unsurprisngly, Meg White, who retreated from public life and hasn’t been heard from for over a decade, was a no-show.
—
Devon Ivie, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
People retreated in fear that more would come.
—Kim Lane Scheppele, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The hot weather retreated and a series of tropical storms drenched the area.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
But images taken by satellite and plane between November and December 2022 indicate that the glacier retreated nearly half a mile per day at some points, according to the paper.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
But between November and December 2022, Hektoria retreated by 5 miles, according to the study published Monday in the journal Nature Geoscience.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
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
Devon Ivie, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
People retreated in fear that more would come.
—Kim Lane Scheppele, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The hot weather retreated and a series of tropical storms drenched the area.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
But images taken by satellite and plane between November and December 2022 indicate that the glacier retreated nearly half a mile per day at some points, according to the paper.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
But between November and December 2022, Hektoria retreated by 5 miles, according to the study published Monday in the journal Nature Geoscience.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreated
Verb
-
Goldin was killed on August 1, 2014, just days before Israel withdrew its troops from Gaza.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In October, Fernandez withdrew from the Argentina squad with membrane swelling in his right knee.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Kneeland fled on foot, police reported.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Knapton is said to have then fired five more shots as the burglary suspects fled, then went back into his home, reloaded, and went back outside again.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 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
-
Other businesses, including a nearby convention center, restaurant and Ford assembly plant, escaped the blaze.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The mailman paused, checking to see if anyone had noticed or knew the puppy had escaped.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Both have spent heavily in the transfer market this year — City around £180million in January and a further £220m in the summer, Liverpool just short of £450m this summer — but very few of the incoming players have hit the ground running.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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The venue will run limited weekday hours, with longer sessions on weekends.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreated. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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