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
On the arm of the sofa, where he had been seated just minutes before retreating into his bedroom for a few minutes of shut-eye, was a block of brown and white ice.
—
Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Large investors flip to net sellers Larger investors are already retreating from the single-family market.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Florida is known for employing a stand-your-ground law, a legal policy that provides residents the option of employing lethal force rather than retreating as a means of self-defense.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
Glaciers all over the world -- especially in Antarctica -- are also retreating at a rapid pace, recent research shows.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
The alarmed father then began retreating while shouting for their daughter to drive away.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Before retreating into the basilica, Leo stepped forward out of the loggia's shadow and waved to the cheering crowd below.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026
Ndiaye also declined to clear the ball, instead trying to thread a pass to retreating teammate Jake Dengler inside the 18-yard box.
—Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
Police said security footage from the store shows customers staring and retreating before 53-year-old Tammy Canut of North Huntingdon walks into the frame naked.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Large investors flip to net sellers Larger investors are already retreating from the single-family market.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Florida is known for employing a stand-your-ground law, a legal policy that provides residents the option of employing lethal force rather than retreating as a means of self-defense.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
Glaciers all over the world -- especially in Antarctica -- are also retreating at a rapid pace, recent research shows.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
The alarmed father then began retreating while shouting for their daughter to drive away.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Before retreating into the basilica, Leo stepped forward out of the loggia's shadow and waved to the cheering crowd below.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026
Ndiaye also declined to clear the ball, instead trying to thread a pass to retreating teammate Jake Dengler inside the 18-yard box.
—Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
Police said security footage from the store shows customers staring and retreating before 53-year-old Tammy Canut of North Huntingdon walks into the frame naked.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
-
Slovenia began preemptively withdrawing all HiPP products from shelves of Spar and other supermarkets, its health inspectorate said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
After withdrawing their endorsement of Swalwell, the California Teacher’s Association put its support behind Steyer, a sure blow to Porter, who has also sought to win the support of unions.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His attackers were last seen fleeing in white KIA SUV.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Officers involved in the chase reported that the children taken from the Harrison Street residence may be inside the fleeing vehicle.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Topal is considering retiring this year.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Jordan Leasure entered and threw a wild pitch to score Gelof and make it 7-4 before retiring Jacob Wilson on a foul popup.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Having conceded twice in a losing effort last weekend at Portland for their first blemish of the year, LAFC met up with an Earthquakes (7-1-0, 21 points) team that was flying high under sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
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The Bruins teammates didn’t pack any of their belongings before flying to New York to attend the draft, but after another cross-country flight home to Los Angeles, the pair had barely 24 hours to put their entire lives in boxes before heading back to the East Coast to join the Connecticut Sun.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Who the Aggies lost/gained through transfer portal UCD lost some firepower through the portal with Pinnick heading to Washington State and 2025 leading rusher Carter Vargas bolting for the Bay Area to play for Cal.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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In fact, partial shade can help delay bolting (flowering) of this cool-season crop.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The boy then raised his head and hit the floor, before briefly escaping, but Rodriguez then got on his back and held his arms behind him.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Dog tracking devices provide peace of mind for owners during travel, off-leash play, and for dogs prone to escaping.—
Jessie Quinn,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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All this in an environment where politicians like Jeff Bridges (running for state treasurer who lives in the Cherry Creek school district) whine and snivel about his associates in the teachers’ union not having the funds to effectively teach our kids.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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The current controller, Malia Cohen, was elected in 2022 and is running for reelection against two candidates, union leader Meghann Adams and Herb Morgan, a chief investment officer.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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