1
as in withdrawing
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fleeing
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 retreating
Priest brawled with both McIntyre and Black, sending the heels retreating.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
With nothing but West Ham’s rapidly retreating defence in front of him, and an instant four-on-four, Guimaraes drove forward before picking out Murphy to his right, in a position to isolate left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf with a one-vs-one.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
After retreating behind the walls of Culloden Parks, the remaining fighters soon surrendered.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025
Given the likelihood of the measure’s approval by voters on Election Day, California Republicans are reportedly retreating from their anti-Proposition 50 campaign.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025
Precious metals and related mining stocks are retreating after a parabolic upmove over the past two months.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday, a federal immigration raid on street vendors who power the mini-economy of Canal’s sidewalks sent many retreating into the shadows.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Pornosexuals are clearly not the only people out there in the process of retreating from life.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 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
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
With nothing but West Ham’s rapidly retreating defence in front of him, and an instant four-on-four, Guimaraes drove forward before picking out Murphy to his right, in a position to isolate left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf with a one-vs-one.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
After retreating behind the walls of Culloden Parks, the remaining fighters soon surrendered.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025
Given the likelihood of the measure’s approval by voters on Election Day, California Republicans are reportedly retreating from their anti-Proposition 50 campaign.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025
Precious metals and related mining stocks are retreating after a parabolic upmove over the past two months.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday, a federal immigration raid on street vendors who power the mini-economy of Canal’s sidewalks sent many retreating into the shadows.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Pornosexuals are clearly not the only people out there in the process of retreating from life.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
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Ciattarelli called it an affordability crisis and has called for withdrawing from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an agreement among Northeast states to cap their emissions.—
Ryan Mancini,
The Hill,
4 Nov. 2025
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Elsewhere in the league, Virginia Tech’s Neoklis Avdalas declared for the draft last year out of Greece before withdrawing.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Little Rock man who, police say, crashed while fleeing from an Arkansas State Police trooper last week now faces first-degree murder counts in the death of two teenage passengers, authorities said Wednesday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Born in Tehran, Atash migrated to the United States alone at the age of 19, fleeing war, trauma, and abuse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Leaders like former American Express CEO Ken Chenault and retiring Partnership for New York City CEO, Kathryn Wylde come to mind.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Sonya Evans stays in District 4 Sonya Evans, a former Blue Valley School District parent, made the jump to district leadership in 2023 when she was tapped to replace a retiring Kaety Bowers.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The evangelical missionary has been working with Crisis Response International, flying in resources to Jamaica at his own expense, said Sean Malone, CRI founder.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Three years later, 4,300 miles from home, Neal was flying the second-largest plane in the world.—
Brad Schmitt,
Nashville Tennessean,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Parsley leaves also turn bitter after bolting.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Toronto’s fielding fails them Addison Barger stared at the sky, bolting to his right as Austin Wells’ fly ball fell.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Katelyn and Kane bought the home shortly after getting married, escaping the spotlight (their former house in Franklin was right on the road) as Kane topped the charts.—
Keith Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
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Especially 11, 12 years ago, there was a lot of talk about music venues escaping downtown because of increasing rents and property tax and just property values overall.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Both consultants estimated that inflation in Caracas is currently running between 20% and 30% a month and is destined to keep rising as long as the bolivar depreciation continues.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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After running the beauty division at P&G and joining Lauren as CEO, Louvet was asked how Ralph Lauren challenged him.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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