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
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Recent Examples of retreating
Wyeth keeps the men at lens-length before retreating to the studio.
—
Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
As the Arctic has warmed four times faster than the rest of the world, sea ice is rapidly retreating.
—Nell Lewis, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Browse books, play pool, and spin records in the Living Room before retreating to the 5,600-square-foot spa, complete with a Himalayan salt room, Finnish sauna, seasonal outdoor pool, and treatments by sustainable Italian brand Comfort Zone, among others.
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
The Catholics shared in the decline, retreating from almost a quarter (24%) to less than a fifth (19%) of the overall population.
—Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, Asia markets mostly fell, with Japan's Nikkei retreating from its record high.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Yesterday seemed much more like a team retreating by choice, both through in-game changes and by the sheer fear of surrendering another lead — a fear that became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
The video ends with federal agents retreating into a nearby building as protesters advanced toward their position, shouting and cheering.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Together, these moves position China as a responsible power at the very moment others are retreating.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
As the Arctic has warmed four times faster than the rest of the world, sea ice is rapidly retreating.
—Nell Lewis, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Browse books, play pool, and spin records in the Living Room before retreating to the 5,600-square-foot spa, complete with a Himalayan salt room, Finnish sauna, seasonal outdoor pool, and treatments by sustainable Italian brand Comfort Zone, among others.
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
The Catholics shared in the decline, retreating from almost a quarter (24%) to less than a fifth (19%) of the overall population.
—Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, Asia markets mostly fell, with Japan's Nikkei retreating from its record high.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Yesterday seemed much more like a team retreating by choice, both through in-game changes and by the sheer fear of surrendering another lead — a fear that became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
The video ends with federal agents retreating into a nearby building as protesters advanced toward their position, shouting and cheering.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Together, these moves position China as a responsible power at the very moment others are retreating.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
-
The battle resulted in the Indigenous residents withdrawing and paved the way for an 1843 treaty that opened up the area to more settlement, according to the historical association.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Budapest is in the process of withdrawing from the ICC.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jimenez shot Vargas once in the chest and attempted to shoot a second time before fleeing the scene with Garfias in the truck, the statement said.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Arrivals of asylum-seekers and other migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East and Africa for Europe over the past decade helped fuel rising far-right populism and led to stricter border controls that have drawn heavy criticism from human rights groups.—
Sam McNeil,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Slow down, maybe, but no plans of retiring.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Billups was also a Hall of Fame player, mostly for the Detroit Pistons, before retiring in 2014.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And, before long, beer was flying and Blue Jays were pouring onto the field to celebrate the win.—
Joe Kozlowski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Great gray owls hunt blind, flying low, listening to the faintest rustling of a mouse beneath snow.—
Kate Siber,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Cool-season planting keeps parsley from bolting, or going to seed quickly.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their customers either don't want to leave en masse or have a hard time escaping.—
NPR,
NPR,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Revenge softens some of Baron Frankenstein’s colder mannerisms into a more playful performance from Cushing; after escaping the gallows, the Baron hides his true identity and takes work at a hospital for the poor to access a supply of body parts.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Several of the the show's stars paid tribute to the long-running series in the wake of Monday's news.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The Athmile Wide-Leg Sweatpants, which shoppers love for traveling, running errands, and relaxing at home, have a super-soft fleece lining and pockets big enough for smartphones.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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