RETREATING Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

retreating

verb

present participle of retreat

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of retreating Police said security footage from the store shows customers staring and retreating before 53-year-old Tammy Canut of North Huntingdon walks into the frame naked. —

Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026 Assuming six weeks of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the company predicts oil prices peaking at $115 per barrel in April and retreating by nearly a third to $80 by the end of the year. —

Alison Saldanha, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026 Chinese companies aren’t retreating from the Arabian Gulf despite turmoil in the region, according to one of the world’s top management consultants. —

Bloomberg, 26 Mar. 2026 Cruz initially stepped toward home plate before helplessly retreating, allowing a catchable ball to soar over his head. —

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026 Pop Mart shares have lost some momentum after their extended run-up, retreating about 50% from their August peak. —

Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026 Petrie-Norris chairs the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee and has helped lead legislative efforts to stabilize California’s fuels market without retreating from goals to achieve carbon neutrality. —

Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026 Actresses from Lauren Bacall to Marlene Dietrich to Claudette Colbert stopped in, socializing with rock stars and politicians before retreating to unusually large rooms protected by an unusually discreet staff. —

Ben Ryder Howe, Air Mail, 14 Mar. 2026 Parasite versus 1917 was expanding Oscar’s horizons versus retreating to familiar territory. —

Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating

Verb

Daines later said withdrawing earlier could have enticed a prominent Democrat like Tester to enter the race.

— Kirk Siegler, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
Chock and Bates decided not to pursue a fourth straight ice dance world championship, joining Olympic teammate Alysa Liu in withdrawing from the worlds, a common decision for skaters who compete at the Winter Games.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026