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
Relevance
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
Rather than retreating into defensive shape after losing possession, teams are immediately attempting to recover the ball high up the pitch.
—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Officials said the dog's owner attempted to use bear spray while retreating from the area but was unsuccessful.
—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
28 June 2026
Because of Oracle’s retreating stock price, Ellison has been surpassed on the world’s list of wealthiest people by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Michael Dell.
—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Most teams try to avoid retreating into their own box unless they are forced to, which gives more space for Munoz to run into, while there is insufficient pressure on ball carrier Diaz, who can pick out his right-back.
—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
22 June 2026
But retreating indoors can come at a cost.
—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Instead of retreating, the team pushed harder.
—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Georgia Republican leaders won’t redraw the state’s political maps during a special legislative session that starts Wednesday, retreating from a proposal that had threatened to ignite one of the state’s most explosive political fights ahead of the November election.
—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
But then, like debris from an exploding Starship rocket, shares started to fall — retreating all the way back to around $200 by the close of the day.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
17 June 2026
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Officials said the dog's owner attempted to use bear spray while retreating from the area but was unsuccessful.
—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
28 June 2026
Because of Oracle’s retreating stock price, Ellison has been surpassed on the world’s list of wealthiest people by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Michael Dell.
—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Most teams try to avoid retreating into their own box unless they are forced to, which gives more space for Munoz to run into, while there is insufficient pressure on ball carrier Diaz, who can pick out his right-back.
—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
22 June 2026
But retreating indoors can come at a cost.
—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Instead of retreating, the team pushed harder.
—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Georgia Republican leaders won’t redraw the state’s political maps during a special legislative session that starts Wednesday, retreating from a proposal that had threatened to ignite one of the state’s most explosive political fights ahead of the November election.
—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
But then, like debris from an exploding Starship rocket, shares started to fall — retreating all the way back to around $200 by the close of the day.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
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While conventional wisdom had long been that consumers should build up a certain level of savings — six months' worth of living expenses, for example — those who study the accounts now consider saving to be a dynamic process of paying in, withdrawing, and then replenishing.
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The military held a similar security strip from 1985 until 2000, before withdrawing after years of steady casualties, a toll that is accumulating once again.
Verb
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Lastly, Salinas had an active warrant against him filed in May for fleeing from police after a hit and run.
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Upon arrival, officers saw two people and a child allegedly fleeing from the store into a vehicle.
Verb
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Matthews responded by retiring Tommy Edman for the first time in three at-bats and striking out backup catcher Chuckie Robinson.
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In the 7th Congressional District, Mamdani is backing Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, who is vying to take over retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez's seat.
Verb
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Taylor loves her Easter eggs, and there are rumors flying that Madison Square Garden is simply a bold ploy to redirect fans’ (and the media’s) attention away from where her true nuptials will be.
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So, at this point, the town of Calistoga doesn't seem willing to take a chance that flying cars will be showing up any time soon.
Verb
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Legacy giants are bolting AI features onto old platforms to justify seat prices.
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Ujiri engineered the trade in 2018 that brought Leonard to the Raptors without the player agreeing to an extension, and the result was a championship followed by Leonard bolting to the Clippers.
Verb
-
Engineers have been trying to capture this escaping waste heat and turn it back into electricity using thermoelectric devices.
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The current population is a result of the toads escaping or being released by importers during the 1950s and ‘60s, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Verb
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That means many households will be paying more per kilowatt-hour at the same time air conditioners are running longer and harder, a combination that can quickly drive up summer statements.
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Even though the show has been running for decades, the creative team said each cast brings a new energy and tone.
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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