1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of retreats
Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
These natural springs can be enjoyed at traditional properties like Fujiya Ryokan or at modern retreats such as Amanemu, where guests have access to spa onsens and private onsen baths in every suite and villa.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Through ConneXions, Hildebrandt offered individual therapy with couples and families, as well as group classes, couples workshops, week-long retreats and other online activities that all added up to thousands of dollars a month in income.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Ahead, 12 standout hotels in the Caribbean for a warm winter getaway, from high-end tropical retreats to more intimate boutique stays.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
While some of these homes are occupied year-round, many serve as weekend retreats for people seeking to escape to island life.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Most co-curricular activities, like arts and leadership programs, would be shared, but spiritual programming and retreats would remain separate.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
One of Middle Tennessee's most storied creative retreats — and the birthplace of Taylor Swift's debut album — is officially up for sale.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Nov. 2025
Some justified their retreats by citing the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.
—Essence, 10 Nov. 2025
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.
—Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Hokum – In Theaters May 1 The film follows reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), who retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, but the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
As Washington retreats from multilateralism and becomes more consumed by domestic polarization, Beijing will continue to exploit opportunities to advance its own geopolitical goals.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Another video geolocated by CNN captures the outstanding moment a bystander, who has since been named as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, then wrestles the gun off the shooter, before the gunman retreats to the bridge.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
Forecasts expect a return to more typical wintry temperatures by later in the month and into the new year as the polar vortex retreats back to the north — and La Niña returns to prominence.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
Forecasts expect a return to more typical wintry temperatures by later in the month and into the new year as the polar vortex retreats back to the north — and La Niña returns to prominence.
—Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
After losing both her job and boyfriend, Jamie retreats to her small Texas hometown, where friends and flings from a fateful high school summer turn her life upside down.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
Noun
In Southern California, Ojai is a serene haven of spiritual retreats, boutique shopping, and lush orange groves.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
These natural springs can be enjoyed at traditional properties like Fujiya Ryokan or at modern retreats such as Amanemu, where guests have access to spa onsens and private onsen baths in every suite and villa.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Through ConneXions, Hildebrandt offered individual therapy with couples and families, as well as group classes, couples workshops, week-long retreats and other online activities that all added up to thousands of dollars a month in income.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Ahead, 12 standout hotels in the Caribbean for a warm winter getaway, from high-end tropical retreats to more intimate boutique stays.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
While some of these homes are occupied year-round, many serve as weekend retreats for people seeking to escape to island life.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Most co-curricular activities, like arts and leadership programs, would be shared, but spiritual programming and retreats would remain separate.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
One of Middle Tennessee's most storied creative retreats — and the birthplace of Taylor Swift's debut album — is officially up for sale.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Nov. 2025
Some justified their retreats by citing the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.
—Essence, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
Brunson retreats and ultimately turns the ball over on a pass to Miles McBride.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.
—Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Hokum – In Theaters May 1 The film follows reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), who retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, but the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
As Washington retreats from multilateralism and becomes more consumed by domestic polarization, Beijing will continue to exploit opportunities to advance its own geopolitical goals.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Another video geolocated by CNN captures the outstanding moment a bystander, who has since been named as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, then wrestles the gun off the shooter, before the gunman retreats to the bridge.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
Forecasts expect a return to more typical wintry temperatures by later in the month and into the new year as the polar vortex retreats back to the north — and La Niña returns to prominence.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025
Forecasts expect a return to more typical wintry temperatures by later in the month and into the new year as the polar vortex retreats back to the north — and La Niña returns to prominence.
—Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
After losing both her job and boyfriend, Jamie retreats to her small Texas hometown, where friends and flings from a fateful high school summer turn her life upside down.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreats
Noun
-
Another risk comes from early withdrawals.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The boycott led to enough withdrawals that PEN’s Jean Stein Award went unawarded for two years and the prize money was instead donated to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And while the city is already rich in green spaces like the Jardín del Turia—Spain’s largest urban park—new biodiversity corridors in the Turia Garden and community spaces such as Jardín Trini Simó are vital green refuges during the summer heat.—
Siobhan Reid,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
-
The National Wildlife Refuge System, for example, has 42 pages worth of regulations specific to individual refuges.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The law is implemented across a number of scenarios, including if the President dies or resigns while in office under Section 1 or the President themselves withdraws from the position, which can be temporarily, under Section 3.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
-
While Block is in the fourth grade, after his family moves from Indiana to Texas, his mother withdraws him from school, convinced that a traditional academic environment will stifle his budding writerly gifts.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jimmy flees and Bundle chases him through the train.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
From there, the pressure ramps up, with glimpses of Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito in pursuit as the missing girl flees from danger.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Because of retirements and bids for higher office, there will be new legislators in several key positions in the Iowa House and Senate when lawmakers gavel in for the start of the legislative session.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Stephen Miran’s term as governor ends in January, and there has been chatter about potential retirements, particularly Vice Chair Philip Jefferson.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Montgomery County During a Code Blue, the county has additional resources for people experiencing homelessness, including access to temporary warming shelters, food and clothing.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Defense applications include lightweight shelters and protective structures printed in one continuous build.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When Moon abruptly retires, the narrator goes to Korea to find him.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Officials are also working to hire a new human resources director to succeed Susan Brazeau, who retires in March.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
So instead, to keep costs down and power up, the Starcloud satellite flies what is known as a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit, circling the planet at a near vertical 83° angle that carries it over the poles and keeps it almost constantly exposed to the sun.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Across the canyon, flames leapt up the Paseo Miramar trail, still two miles away as the crow flies, but already too close to ignore.—
Jonathan Taplin,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreats. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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