1
as in withdrawal
an act of moving away especially from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable
we made a strategic retreat when we realized that we were outnumbered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refuge
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
her bedroom served as a retreat from the frequent arguing between her parents the abandoned cabin was a welcome retreat from the storm
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to withdraw
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flee
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 retreat
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2025
Terranea Resort This Palos Verdes cliffside retreat offers scenic hiking trails and sweeping ocean views for both guests and their dogs.
—Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
With his unique falsetto, emotional delivery and irresistible backstory — retreating to a cabin in the woods following a pair of personal and professional breakups to record in solitude — Bon Iver earned significant industry respect and a devoted cult following.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Nestled deep in the Colorado mountains, the gorgeous ‘60s home offers a cozy retreat—just one that’s a little outdated when the Gaines first acquire the property.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2025
Terranea Resort This Palos Verdes cliffside retreat offers scenic hiking trails and sweeping ocean views for both guests and their dogs.
—Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
The series then retreats to 2019 to trace the circumstances that led to these killings, building toward the inevitability of Maggie and Paul’s death and filtering the whole family through a lens of catastrophe, where every member is either ill-fated or devious.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
With his unique falsetto, emotional delivery and irresistible backstory — retreating to a cabin in the woods following a pair of personal and professional breakups to record in solitude — Bon Iver earned significant industry respect and a devoted cult following.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
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The agreement included several conditions, including the release of all Israeli hostages both living and dead, and the withdrawal of some Israeli troops from Gaza.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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Said to offer a level of care not currently available in any other local program, patients would be overseen by doctors and nurses who would oversee withdrawal management and therapy designed to prevent relapses.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Gen Z is searching for professional refuge as AI continues to sweep corporate workplaces—and many have found shelter in blue-collar work.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
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Portuguese titles at Tribeca Festival Lisboa include Match, from director Duarte Neves and about a declining actor seeking emotional refuge on Tinder.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After occupying Sinai, Britain and France succumbed to international pressure and withdrew their forces from Egypt in November.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics withdrew its guidance that said potential allergens should be avoided for high-risk babies, but didn’t have enough data to recommend introducing them early.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Three were sprawling refugee camps near el-Fasher that have emptied as RSF troops advanced, with most people fleeing into el-Fasher or nearby towns.—
NPR,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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The film, written by Barbosa alongside Werner Salles, is set in 1695 and sees a family of slaves organize a rebellion to flee in search of the utopian Quilombo dos Palmares following a call from the spiritual helm.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige If a cold-weather climate is conducive to your retirement needs, Trento, capital of the province of Trentino, may just be your ideal wintry mix.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
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Yes, Social Security payments, including Supplemental Security Income and benefits for retirement, disability and survivors, continue during a government shutdown.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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While deputies searched the shelter, a man fell through the ceiling and was immediately detained, Enriquez said.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Samaritan’s Purse has pledged 42 ambulances, 28 of them armored, to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, and is supporting 11 major construction projects, including ambulance response stations and community centers equipped with bomb shelters.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Kroos retired from all football in summer 2024, and there were concerns at the club this off-season that the squad lacks such experienced heads, after Modric (and fellow long-serving squad member Lucas Vazquez) also left.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Glover, who left the church in 2007 and retired last year after a half century in the Assemblies of God, denied these accounts.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The fabrics utilize the same aerodynamic principles as a golf ball, whose dimpled surface causes a ball to fly further by using turbulence to reduce drag.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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