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
Relevance
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
Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Before the Bride elbows her way into his life, Frank, ever so lonely, retreats into the world of movies.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Despite the retreats in many markets, the reactions to the war have been moderated by the fact that past military conflicts in the Middle East haven't caused long-term declines.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
There’s also an event center for hosting large groups — from family reunions and weddings to corporate retreats and business conventions.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Though Milan remained the center of his empire, Armani was known to split his time between seaside retreats, countryside estates, alpine hideaways, and warm-weather escapes.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2026
These retreats are an important part of good governance, allowing the council and city staff to look ahead thoughtfully and ensure we are aligned on the challenges and opportunities before us.
—Chuck Page, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
These geological features provide the small reptiles with hiding spots and surfaces to navigate during their active nighttime hours and restful daytime retreats.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
From leadership retreats to employee engagement campaigns, organizations continue to invest in conversations about culture.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
But the novel ultimately retreats from these complicating questions.
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
From its vantage point on the west coast of America, the observatory will be perfectly positioned to provide coverage throughout the eclipse, running from the penumbral phase through totality and beyond, as Earth's shadow retreats from the lunar disk.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Takemikazuchi, the god of thunder, prevails by crushing the arm of Takeminakata, a rival god, who retreats to Lake Suwa and vows never to leave.
—Joshua Hunt, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Totality ends and the umbra gradually retreats across the lunar surface.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Less well defined is the character of Miss Delavigne, although she’s wonderfully portrayed by Englert, who retreats into this mousy persona.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
Andrew has moved to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, while Sarah’s whereabouts are unknown—although she has been rumored to be everywhere from the French Alps to the United Arab Emirates to wellness retreats in both Switzerland and Ireland.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Before the Bride elbows her way into his life, Frank, ever so lonely, retreats into the world of movies.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Despite the retreats in many markets, the reactions to the war have been moderated by the fact that past military conflicts in the Middle East haven't caused long-term declines.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
There’s also an event center for hosting large groups — from family reunions and weddings to corporate retreats and business conventions.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Though Milan remained the center of his empire, Armani was known to split his time between seaside retreats, countryside estates, alpine hideaways, and warm-weather escapes.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2026
These retreats are an important part of good governance, allowing the council and city staff to look ahead thoughtfully and ensure we are aligned on the challenges and opportunities before us.
—Chuck Page, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
These geological features provide the small reptiles with hiding spots and surfaces to navigate during their active nighttime hours and restful daytime retreats.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
From leadership retreats to employee engagement campaigns, organizations continue to invest in conversations about culture.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
But the novel ultimately retreats from these complicating questions.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
But the novel ultimately retreats from these complicating questions.
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
From its vantage point on the west coast of America, the observatory will be perfectly positioned to provide coverage throughout the eclipse, running from the penumbral phase through totality and beyond, as Earth's shadow retreats from the lunar disk.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Takemikazuchi, the god of thunder, prevails by crushing the arm of Takeminakata, a rival god, who retreats to Lake Suwa and vows never to leave.
—Joshua Hunt, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Totality ends and the umbra gradually retreats across the lunar surface.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Less well defined is the character of Miss Delavigne, although she’s wonderfully portrayed by Englert, who retreats into this mousy persona.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreats
Noun
-
There were also fraudulent withdrawals on the victim's bank accounts for car insurance companies, electronic companies and jewelry companies totaling more than $17,000, the DA's office said.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Private credit funds were already suffering withdrawals as artificial intelligence disruption fears mounted.—
Edward Harrison,
Bloomberg,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Aire Ancient Baths A subterranean theater of candlelit pools and vaulted brick, Aire remains one of the city’s few strictly phone-and-camera-free refuges.—
Amy Louise Bailey,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
-
This is the sort of ecological abundance that has long attracted travelers to the Amazon River, South America's liquid spine and one of the last refuges for jaguars in the world.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If the Pentagon withdraws support, the Scouts would have to scramble to replace medical care, transportation and other emergency services.—
Graham Smith,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Antonio Delgado withdraws from New York governor race after Mamdani backs Hochul.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The stinger on the scene, where Katie flees and Greg mistakenly gets caught peeping on two girls smooching, is good for some giggles.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Seemingly a united front, Michaela agrees to stay in London upon Francesca’s request, but secretly flees in the finale.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The number of mushers jostling to be the first to Nome has varied over the years, but the retirements of many longtime mushers and the high cost of supplies, such as dog food, have kept the fields small this decade.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The district will be asking for volunteers to consider early retirements, Cassellius said, though there aren't any new incentives for doing so.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The ordinance grants the city manager unilateral authority to approve contracts worth up to $5 million when they are related to creating a temporary shelters for the homeless.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
While the data showed just more than 120,000 people were listed as being housed in shelters set up across the country, Baban said many were sleeping in tents on the streets of Beirut or in parked cars.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Colleen retires this month as the executive director and general counsel of the Freedom of Information Commission, hanging up her battle gear.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
It has also been used when a player retires at a young age without getting an unconditional release, but then returns to playing.—
Ed Guzman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Eco effort Few & Far Luvhondo operates on solar power and is 100% zero waste, in part thanks to an army of black soldier flies that turn food scraps into fertilizer.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
-
But researchers found in 2022 that brine flies, which form the base of the lake’s food web, and brine shrimp, a multimillion, global fish food business in Utah, had begun to disappear.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreats. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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