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 It’s made up of nine river rooms and three junior suites, so staying here feels more like retreating to a private waterside residence than checking into a city stay. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 Yet some of retail’s fastest-growing companies are not retreating from physical stores. — Ayşe Çetinel, Harvard Business Review, 18 Aug. 2026 And Denise, rather than retreating from the action, unleashes a piercing battle cry and plunges into the mayhem head on. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Bryce Eldridge started his day by turning a one-man double play at first base after handling a sharp grounder and tagging out the runner retreating to first while stepping on the bag. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026 At low tide, the retreating ocean leaves behind a natural aquarium enclosed by volcanic rock. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026 Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Short sellers betting against SpaceX are rapidly retreating from the trade, just as the newly public stock rebounds from its post-IPO slump. — Yun Li, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 Their new arrival is one reason the Vances have been retreating from Washington more than ever. — Kate Andersen Brower, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 James survived the shooting, but is shown retreating back to his car while losing blood. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating

Verb

The road map involves Hamas gradually giving up its weapons while Israeli forces halt attacks and begin withdrawing from Gaza.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Dozens of additional settlers arrived, moving boulders into the road and throwing rocks at the security forces, who were seen firing sound grenades and spraying settlers with pepper spray before withdrawing.

— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdrawing

Verb

An Aurora man accused of killing a female bicyclist in Hampshire with his pickup truck and then fleeing the scene has been charged with felony failure to report a crash resulting in a death, officials said.

— Elgin Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Key Background Reiner was accused of fatally stabbing his parents at their home in December and was arrested that same day after fleeing.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of fleeing

Verb

On the other is a relief depiction of a Kremlin in flames, with a drone flying over it.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Over the coming months, avionics, scientific instruments and thermal insulation will gradually transform the frame into the flying science laboratory destined for the outer solar system.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

Charging documents said both suspects were then seen on video running into a nearby home before eventually escaping through the back of the house.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
In defiance of Pacho’s tight hold, Madjo shrugged the Ecuador international, escaping behind and emphatically volleying into the roof of the net.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026