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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreating
In the third quarter, after taking a tumble, Green reached out and grabbed the ankle of a retreating Jabari Smith Jr.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
However, the ice sheet has been retreating from the grounding line in the most vulnerable regions at a rate of more than 170 square miles per year.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Far from retreating, the government is entrenching itself.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
The brands willing to slow down in order to strengthen their foundation are not retreating.
—Essence, 3 Mar. 2026
Abel made clear that the cash is meant to be deployed when valuations warrant, pushing back on any suggestion that Berkshire is retreating from investing.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
Many are retreating to the narrowest definition of their roles.
—Adi Ignatius, Harvard Business Review, 27 Feb. 2026
Many advocates and executives are worried the agency may be retreating from the flexible approach regulators have promised in recent years.
—Jason Mast, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
When you’re gone, retreating to his crate is his way of keeping himself safe.
—Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
However, the ice sheet has been retreating from the grounding line in the most vulnerable regions at a rate of more than 170 square miles per year.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Far from retreating, the government is entrenching itself.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
The brands willing to slow down in order to strengthen their foundation are not retreating.
—Essence, 3 Mar. 2026
Abel made clear that the cash is meant to be deployed when valuations warrant, pushing back on any suggestion that Berkshire is retreating from investing.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
Many are retreating to the narrowest definition of their roles.
—Adi Ignatius, Harvard Business Review, 27 Feb. 2026
Many advocates and executives are worried the agency may be retreating from the flexible approach regulators have promised in recent years.
—Jason Mast, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
When you’re gone, retreating to his crate is his way of keeping himself safe.
—Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
-
Arguing that having a public apology circulating online would be unfair to their client, his attorneys instead handed Rose a paper note containing the apology before quickly withdrawing it.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And naive, especially after the Soviet Union spent a decade fighting in Afghanistan to put communist allies in charge, before withdrawing its troops in 1989 amid failure.—
Jill Lawrence,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yamaha joins a wave of major corporations fleeing California, including Tesla, In-N-Out and Chevron, citing costly regulations and unfavorable business conditions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Despite concerns about wealthy New Yorkers fleeing our city, the real exodus is happening in the middle.—
Gary LaBarbera,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Liu won the 2025 World title last March, less than a year after returning to the sport after retiring days after the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The deal comes two days after the Chargers signed veteran center Tyler Biadasz to take over for the retiring Bradley Bozeman.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Keep reading to discover all the best fashion sneaker collaborations to scoop up this spring—they’re already flying.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
According to Diio by Cirium data, the airline is flying more than 1,100 flights at the airport this month.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Choose varieties that can grow in hotter weather without bolting (flowering).—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The long-shot basket sent players from the Clippers’ bench — and some fans in the stands, too — bolting onto the court in a wild celebration.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
MacTaggart is part of a throng of young people who are turning to analog hobbies and activities as a means of escaping technology and reconnecting with childlike creativity and exploration.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Though mostly ground-dwelling and preferring to run, pheasants can perch to avoid predators and reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour when escaping danger.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The former state controller has been running for California governor longer than just about anybody in the cheek-by-jowl field.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The crowd stopped the congressional certification of Biden's victory for several hours, sent lawmakers running and vandalized the building before police regained control.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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