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
Josh Rojas tried to sacrifice him over to third, but his bunt went straight back to Orze, who threw to second base too late to catch the retreating Tolbert.
—
CBS News, 6 June 2026
Similarly, retreating glaciers that form the Greenland Ice Sheet carve new valleys and reshape the physical geography, which will likely bring new challenges for the land mammals.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026
Haiti continues to stand before far larger powers — culturally, economically, politically — without retreating.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
The video appears to show a person standing with a snow shovel outside the house, near the street, then retreating toward the house and tossing the shovel into the yard.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Instead of retreating from global trade, many small and mid-sized companies are leaning in and even accelerating global expansion.
—Greg Hewitt, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Toulon has an airport, but with fewer international routes and that reliable railway that runs further east, abandons the coastline here, retreating inland.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 25 May 2026
And with the West retreating on climate action, Seow thinks the answer will have to come from the rest of the world.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 25 May 2026
Given the lackluster retail climate in China, Givenchy has been retreating from brick-and-mortar retail.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 May 2026
CBS News, 6 June 2026
Similarly, retreating glaciers that form the Greenland Ice Sheet carve new valleys and reshape the physical geography, which will likely bring new challenges for the land mammals.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026
Haiti continues to stand before far larger powers — culturally, economically, politically — without retreating.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
The video appears to show a person standing with a snow shovel outside the house, near the street, then retreating toward the house and tossing the shovel into the yard.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Instead of retreating from global trade, many small and mid-sized companies are leaning in and even accelerating global expansion.
—Greg Hewitt, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Toulon has an airport, but with fewer international routes and that reliable railway that runs further east, abandons the coastline here, retreating inland.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 25 May 2026
And with the West retreating on climate action, Seow thinks the answer will have to come from the rest of the world.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 25 May 2026
Given the lackluster retail climate in China, Givenchy has been retreating from brick-and-mortar retail.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
-
Carlos Alcaraz isn’t in the tournament after withdrawing because of a wrist injury.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Depending on the circumstances, you may be restricted from withdrawing funds, making purchases with your debit card, transferring money or paying bills.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Between 2012 and 2015, Perry was also convicted of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, domestic violence, possession of ammunition as a felon and fleeing from police in Sacramento County, according to the criminal complaint.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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Continue reading … IN OTHER NEWS GOLDEN STATE EXODUS — Californians fleeing to red states are driving up home prices and rents in their new cities, data shows.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The owner, Tom Furrier, was retiring after 45 years, closing up shop, and selling off the last of his stock.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
Twelve Democrats are competing to replace Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, who is retiring after five terms.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
How about flying a chopper over the Great Barrier Reef from the on-site helipad?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Beside her, the dog shakes itself, droplets flying from it, then fixes her with an appraising gaze.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
So, a bit of shade can prevent bolting and keep the soil cooler, extending their harvest and yielding tender, flavorful roots.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 May 2026
-
You guys will normally read like 300-500 words before bolting.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
And yet art-world institutions—including major museums, schools, commercial galleries, and publishing outlets—have mostly avoided the fawning capitulation of universities and Democrats, simply going quiet in the hope of escaping notice for the next three years.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Seal gaps and cracks to prevent hot air from entering and cool air from escaping.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, domestic refiners are running their plants harder than usual to meet fuel demand and competing for barrels, sending the premiums for US crude delivered in Asia higher relative to available Middle Eastern supplies, according to traders.—
Devika Krishna Kumar,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
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Loose silhouettes are key when running around town; relaxed athletic shorts and an equally slouchy button-up work perfectly.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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