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
Many are retreating from their DEI commitments.
—
Sankar Sen, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
However, over three days of fighting, a Union Army force sent Confederate soldiers retreating back to the South.
—Alia Beard Rau, USA Today, 10 June 2026
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
Given the lackluster retail climate in China, Givenchy has been retreating from brick-and-mortar retail.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 May 2026
Sankar Sen, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
However, over three days of fighting, a Union Army force sent Confederate soldiers retreating back to the South.
—Alia Beard Rau, USA Today, 10 June 2026
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
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
-
After battling through injury during Saturday's third round at the RBC Canadian Open, Brooks Koepka opted not to give it a go in the final round, ultimately withdrawing from the PGA Tour event on Sunday morning.—
Mark Harris,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
On Wednesday afternoon, Robert Reeve, attorney for Noble, notified Farmington his client was withdrawing the plan.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
His family migrated from Nicaragua in late 2022, fleeing political persecution, and were in asylum proceedings when Wilbur was detained.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
-
Proper told investigators that a group planned to stage a demonstration outside the White House, fly small drones laden with explosives to detonate outside the arena to force the crowd to evacuate, and act as snipers to shoot people fleeing the event.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
In 2018, Rita Ferro succeeded the retiring Erhardt as the ESPN sales boss under a new title (president, Disney ad sales).—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
16 June 2026
-
Dominic Murphy, who has spent two decades investigating such activities — including previous high-profile attacks — and who oversaw the initial investigation into the fires before retiring in March.—
Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
After flying overnight from San Antonio back to the Big Apple, Jose Alvarado, also a native New Yorker, took part in a local Puerto Rican Day Parade, and the mayor joined him in the fun.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
Videos circulating online show Eduarda flying through the air, both arms outstretched, in the moments before her death.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
In another Instagram photo shared moments later, Gene appeared to be bolting upstairs while Schumer posed for the camera — though his face was covered by a yellow heart emoji holding up peace signs.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
30 Nov. 2025
-
Most analysts believe Kiffin is torn between staying on at Oxford or bolting to Baton Rouge for the LSU job.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Some were seen walking away after escaping the aircraft.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
The film centers on three women in a remote Bangladeshi village – blind Momi, schoolgirl Hima, and pregnant Laili – who dream of escaping a world shaped by superstition and religious conservatism, with consequences that grow increasingly dire for each of them.—
Jenny S. Li,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
In running their winning streak to 10 games, the Broncos also ended their NFL record of rallying for nine consecutive victories.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
-
That law, which greatly restricted when and how a driver could use their phone or another device while the engine of a vehicle was running, addressed many common distractions.—
Nate Trela,
AZCentral.com,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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