RETREATS Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

retreats 1 of 2

noun

plural of retreat

as in withdrawals

an act of moving away especially from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable we made a strategic retreat when we realized that we were outnumbered

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in refuges

something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger her bedroom served as a retreat from the frequent arguing between her parents the abandoned cabin was a welcome retreat from the storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

retreats

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of retreat

as in withdraws

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flees

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 retreats

Noun

Every season sends viewers racing to book the real-life properties featured on screen, turning secluded retreats into viral bucket-list stops overnight. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026 The Diane Weyermann Fellowshipprovides $100,000 in unrestricted funding for each project, as well as two creative retreats. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 Emmy Brunner’s residential retreats combine hypnosis and somatic practice. — Anita Bhagwandas, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026 These retreats prioritize relationship-building and collaboration, skills difficult to foster remotely. — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 However, Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa, which is also among Travel + Leisure’s best domestic wellness retreats, seems to hold this accolade with effortless confidence. — Jessica Ritz, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026 Experts say unseasonably warm weather patterns at the beginning of the year have driven rattlesnakes out of their winter retreats ahead of rattlesnake season in search of food and mates. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Upscale retreats are being designed to blend seamlessly into some of the African country’s most remote environments; being hard to find offers the ultimate in exclusivity. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 The best Catskills hotels and Hudson Valley retreats offer a quiet respite from the flashing lights of the city and a place to check in with your thoughts after a busy work season. — Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Havelock neither retreats to the closet nor holds out hope for resolution via vigilante justice. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 With the bulk of his work at practice done for the day, Achord retreats to the back of the end zone with Koonz, squatting and scribbling something on paper. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Twice a day, the tide retreats from the shoreline, sometimes for up to two miles. — Kim Foley MacKinnon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 As his mind retreats to the hues of old movies, Charlotte breaks the fog with a glimmer of humanity. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 The gunman briefly retreats, then returns to the window and fires inside the restaurant again, injuring a good Samaritan who was trying to help the trooper and render aid to Garibay. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 Start with energy markets and the fear of disruption to oil and gas exports if the United States retreats. — Michael Fuchs, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026 Their late summer adventures will likely take them to their country home, Anmer Hall, as well as to Balmoral, where the royal family retreats en masse as summer begins to turn into fall. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 29 July 2026 The mountain range is just a short distance from Balmoral, the Scottish castle and estate where the royal family annually retreats in late summer. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreats

Noun

Sweeny received his place through the equivalent agreement with Tennis Australia, after Alexei Popyrin, the initial recipient, got into the main draw under his own power following withdrawals.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Under current law, funds may be accessed on a tax-advantaged basis when the policy is properly structured, funded, and maintained, but withdrawals and loans can affect policy performance and tax treatment.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdrawals

Noun

Such spaces create temporary refuges from the digital stream, and allow habits of slowness, concentration, and absorption to become socially reinforced.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Two mountain refuges sit high on the plateau, giving hikers the option to spend the night surrounded by Olympus' alpine scenery.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuges

Verb

Based on the legend of the Chinese goddess Chang’e, this book reimagines and expands the myth to center her daughter, Xingyin, who flees her home and embarks on a bold adventure to save her mother while training in enemy territory.

— Chloe Gong, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Holden eagerly rebels against Pencey Prep, gets the boot, and flees to New York City, a place with its own vices and hazards, but without the sort of propaganda and pretense that obscure the school’s dark underside.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of flees

Noun

Other greats like Magic Johnson and Mario Lemieux made comebacks after early retirements for medical reasons.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
That far outpaces the 26% in the same age group who believe their retirements will be mostly funded by 401(k)s, IRAs and other retirement accounts, the poll found.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of retirements

Noun

The battery is designed for military vehicles, deployable tactical power systems, mobile command posts, tactical shelters and deployable weapon systems.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
Evacuation shelters for both fires have been opened at the Carmel Mission Inn and Cambria Veterans Memorial Hall.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of shelters

Verb

Supporting the Sentinel transition The Grey Wolf will also help as the Air Force brings in the LGM-35A Sentinel and retires the Minuteman III facilities.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Rafter, bothered by a right shoulder injury, retires after Cedric Pioline breaks his serve in the opening game of the fifth set.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of retires

Verb

Chaparral flies autonomously Elroy Air completed a new series of autonomous, uncrewed flight tests of its Chaparral cargo aircraft under the US Department of Transportation and FAA’s eIPP project.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Related Stories The festival traditionally flies all the flags representing directors with films in the selection from flagpoles on the Palazzo del Cinema, where the gala screenings take place every night.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026