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

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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

Gearin says that leaders who run these retreats are aware of clients’ high premium on being able to see outside the box and gain the ability to look at their business problems from different angles. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 When that doesn’t work, Vicki yanks off her mic and retreats to her bedroom, leaving the others uncertain of what to do next. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026 Mountains, vineyards, coastal retreats, forests, or even rural villages are becoming sanctuaries where guests can unplug, breathe, and rediscover balance. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026 And the remainder, now tucked away in boxes, will go the Haymarket Center in Chicago, where Fagel is a volunteer leader at retreats that help first responders recover from trauma. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 As ayahuasca went global, luxury retreats charged thousands of dollars, untrained facilitators set up shop, and ceremonies were stripped of the songs, diets and community obligations that gave them meaning. — Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026 Far more rarely, people have killed themselves after intensive meditation retreats. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 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

Verb

The front retreats to the north, but chances of rain stick around into early Friday as the shortwave (small disturbance) pushes out of the area. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreats

Noun

The plan included additional Israeli military withdrawals from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, the arrival of an international peacekeeping force and a new apolitical Palestinian government to administer the territory's day-to-day affairs.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
England manager Thomas Tuchel selected a 27-man squad for the upcoming fixtures against Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia but has been rocked by withdrawals from Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Declan Rice, Tino Livramento and Kobbie Mainoo.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdrawals

Noun

While low flows continue to persist in sections of the Colorado River, cold tributaries, deeper-water refuges in narrow canyon reaches, and larger pools provide cool refuges for fish.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Travelers can spend a few weeks following the entire route or easily choose a section to experience the historic river towns, scenic overlooks, wildlife refuges, and communities built along the mighty Mississippi.

— Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of refuges

Verb

Cookies should not be set before consent, should appear the moment consent is granted, should persist across the session and should disappear when a visitor withdraws it.

— Lesa Seibert, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
The background of the film is the budget slashes that are happening in this sector all over the Western world, as the government withdraws its own form of care.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdraws

Verb

Cora, the granddaughter of a woman kidnapped from West Africa and sold into slavery, flees her captor’s plantation, plunging her into the book’s alternate steampunk reality where she is pursued by the merciless slave catcher Ridgeway.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026
As the dust settles, John flees, but Zoe comes with a gun to finish off Hal in the rubble.

— Joe Otterson, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of flees

Noun

The state experienced a major surge in retirements in the first six months of 2022 as veteran workers scrambled to leave service before new limits on pensions took effect.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Fox, who made his return to acting in season 3 of Shrinking following both of his retirements from acting, and Pollan’s arrival at the awards show marks their first time attending in 13 years.

— Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of retirements

Verb

In species ranging from worms and flies to rodents and primates, caloric restriction produces animals that appear biologically younger than their age.

— Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
Bent on tracking down the killers, Ethan flies over and heads to the photographic agency that represents Joe’s work.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026