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

Major Medicare Advantage insurer Humana is withdrawing from certain markets for 2027, a move expected to be mirrored by other companies facing rising medical expenses.

— Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
In 1982, invading Israeli forces occupied the city, withdrawing three years later.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdrawing

Verb

Another relative, Lolo Villalobos, was the longtime mayor of Guanabacoa, Cuba, before fleeing the country after Fidel Castro took power.

— Austin Horn July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Thousands of Ukrainians who arrived in the United States after fleeing the war expected to be away from home only briefly.

— Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of fleeing

Verb

Former chief voices his support All of this played out as Kowalski was retiring from the department.

— Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Baresi is regarded as an AC Milan icon, having spent his entire 20-year career with the club, winning six Serie A titles and three top European trophies, and captaining the team for 15 seasons before retiring in 1997.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 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

Seal air leaks and improve insulation to stop conditioned air from escaping your home.

— Alora Bopray, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Another notable trend in technical textiles is the goal of escaping petrochemical dependency through green chemistry, bio-fabrication and circular textile systems.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 July 2026

Definition of escaping

Verb

Persistent heatwaves are not only driving up the cost of keeping society running and disrupting companies' production and operations, but are also putting pressure on European economic growth.

— , CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
There are also plenty of trainers – two-time Triple Crown winner Bob Baffert among them – who rarely balk at running Derby winners back two weeks later in the Preakness.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026