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

On Friday, stocks rallied as yields retreated, following a surprisingly weak September jobs report that suggested the Federal Reserve may stay on hold at this month’s policy meeting. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

The militant group took over roughly one-third of Iraq after key Iraqi army divisions collapsed and retreated in the onslaught. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

After the divorce, Lockwood stayed in Cape Town while Spencer retreated back to England. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026

More recently, values retreated to 96 cents/lb, which is close to where the index was one month ago. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

The price of jet fuel shot up after the Iran war began and retreated sharply in the spring before surging again as the summer went on. — Rio Yamat, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

The judge retreated to his chambers after telling the three of them to work it out. — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

The North Korean soldiers retreated after the South broadcast audio warnings and fired the shots and there were no clashes. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

After Diana’s death following an August 1997 car crash, Jane retreated from the public eye. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026