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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreating
With less accumulation and more melting, glaciers are retreating at an accelerated pace.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
When the event is abruptly cancelled due to a booking blunder, the four seize the chance to brainstorm a sequel, retreating to the film’s original locations for inspiration.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Kelce, who played football for the Bearcats, spent plenty of time on the field during warm-ups in a red-and-white striped sweater before retreating to a suite for the game.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Rocks from glacial terrains left bare by retreating ice, coral from the Great Barrier Reef, stones from islands facing rising sea levels, and other materials from devastated or threatened ecosystems are transformed into tiny objects of reflection, connection, prayer and renewal.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Then on the 25th, Venus enters Leo, retreating into the shadows of your solitude and behind-the-scenes world.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 24 Aug. 2025
Stocks have slowed as of late, with Microsoft, Netflix, Walmart and Apple all retreating this past week, and the S & P 500 sliding for five straight days through Thursday.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 23 Aug. 2025
The Hunter-Killers have been retreating there to die.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2025
The rise in New York gold prices held around 1% before retreating, which was not an enormous gain for the yellow metal.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
When the event is abruptly cancelled due to a booking blunder, the four seize the chance to brainstorm a sequel, retreating to the film’s original locations for inspiration.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Kelce, who played football for the Bearcats, spent plenty of time on the field during warm-ups in a red-and-white striped sweater before retreating to a suite for the game.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Rocks from glacial terrains left bare by retreating ice, coral from the Great Barrier Reef, stones from islands facing rising sea levels, and other materials from devastated or threatened ecosystems are transformed into tiny objects of reflection, connection, prayer and renewal.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Then on the 25th, Venus enters Leo, retreating into the shadows of your solitude and behind-the-scenes world.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 24 Aug. 2025
Stocks have slowed as of late, with Microsoft, Netflix, Walmart and Apple all retreating this past week, and the S & P 500 sliding for five straight days through Thursday.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 23 Aug. 2025
The Hunter-Killers have been retreating there to die.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2025
The rise in New York gold prices held around 1% before retreating, which was not an enormous gain for the yellow metal.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
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Three surveillance photos included in court documents previously reviewed by McClatchy News show Muchimba wearing USPS clothing while withdrawing cash.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
-
By 2008, Americans were withdrawing, and combat deaths were subsiding to their lowest level since the start of the occupation.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Related Stories While fleeing with her family from Gaza City in January 2024, the car Rajab was traveling in was shelled, killing her uncle, aunt and three cousins.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Rajab and her family had been fleeing Gaza City when their vehicle was shelled, killing her uncle, aunt, and three cousins.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
How Gen Xers’ accounts are doing Of the million-dollar-plus accounts, the majority (346,000) belonged to Gen Xers, the generation of people who will start retiring within the next decade.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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Conway is a third-generation firefighter who was with the Milwaukee Fire Department for more than 30 years, retiring as the department's assistant chief of operations in 2012.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sandhagen dispatched Edgar with a vicious flying knee 28 seconds into that bout.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Considering the loss, UNC might have to come back in a big way in their next outing to ensure the jokes stop flying.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But this isn’t simply about bolting on features.—
Bessemer Venture Partners,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
As reports from the Ukraine war show, taking a drone and bolting a Claymore mine to it isn't new.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In this add on, a meteor lands on a volcanic island and so Kirby is left collecting shards of a shattered crystal and preventing an eerie presence from inside the rock from escaping.—
Joshua Lamb,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The Story of Pearl Girl centers on a sharp, scrappy heroine (Zhao Lusi) who claws her way into high society after escaping a cruel pearl farm.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Golden stood out in training camp and the joint practices against the Colts and Seahawks, showing polished route running and explosive acceleration against NFL-level defensive backs.—
Cecil Merkerson III,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
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That finding runs counter to years of political assumptions and suggests a shift that could have real implications for household finances, community development, and the long-running national housing crisis.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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