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

Though gas prices retreated somewhat in the late spring and early summer, the dip was short lived. — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

After a brief standoff with the buzzing, metal alien, the bobcat carefully retreated, sidestepping into an adjacent empty room. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026

Lake Washington is a 200-foot-deep trough carved by glaciers that retreated 16,000 years ago. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

Galliano retreated from public life for two years and was found guilty by a Paris court of public insults based on religion, race and ethnicity. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2026

Furthermore, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index retreated significantly from the record high set in the previous session, tumbling nearly 8% overnight to mark its largest single-day loss since June 5. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

The migrants retreated to a pier where they were guarded by police. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026

With the pocket collapsing, Young retreated and threw off his back foot for Tetairoa McMillan down the middle of the field. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

After the show, Wagoner retreated to the privacy of their tour bus. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026