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 But Americans want to know that colleges are responding with urgency to the crisis in our public life, not retreating from it. — Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 In the second World Cup semifinal, England struck first, taking a 1-0 lead early in the second half and then retreating into a defensive shell. — David Hickey, NBC news, 16 July 2026 Tzolis is a threat in transition and to retreating or disorganised defences. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 July 2026 Under Mullin, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also retreating from a plan to use warehouses to detain migrants. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 Cardinal and Lilly also set fresh record closes last week, before retreating modestly, as J & J has, in recent sessions. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 14 July 2026 And larger investors were already retreating from the single-family market. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 On that note, with your celestial ruler, Venus, taking a dip in your sleepy 12th house of resting, retreating and surrendering to the ebb and flow of your spirit, you’re encouraged to slow down. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 Years on, living in Mumbai and retreating to the anonymity of the background row, she is gradually drawn back toward the stage. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating

Verb

Tincon last spring said the concerns were unfounded and described itself as a responsible corporate neighbor, but ended up withdrawing its application before a vote.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Pavlensky argues that his work is being used against him, while French authorities are assessing whether his criminal convictions justify withdrawing his asylum status.

— Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of withdrawing

Verb

Garcia’s conviction included an enhancement for fleeing after committing a gross vehicular manslaughter and personally using a deadly weapon in the commission of the offense.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Godreque Newsom was accused of unintentionally killing 27-year-old Abari Meade in a car wreck and fleeing the scene.

— Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of fleeing

Verb

Fricker went on to star in another ITV drama Seekers, 1994 sports comedy Angels in the Outfield, 1997’s Masterminds, and 2011’s Albert Nobbs, before retiring from big-screen roles in 2015.

— Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026
The three-time Pro Bowl running back racked up 9,651 rushing yards and 55 rushing touchdowns in his NFL career, before retiring in 2017.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of retiring

Verb

Breakker connected with a flying cross body over the barricade on Breakker as Cole talked up Evans developing an edge.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
But years later, some of the highest-flying professional clubs have folded due to financial mismanagement, and dozens of soccer officials have been banned or imprisoned, and numerous teams ensnared in an anti-graft campaign.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

Mariano Rivera earned his 400th save, escaping two jams and getting six outs to preserve the New York Yankees’ 6-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
After all, even Earth's helium is slowly escaping our own atmosphere.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of escaping

Verb

Much of the generation that keeps the lights on today is running years past the service life it was built for.

— Anna Demeo, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
After the 19-year-old soccer star helped lead the Spanish men’s national team to victory over Argentina on Sunday, July 19, his little brother, Keyne, could be seen running straight into his arms and screaming with joy over the win.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026