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

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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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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

Both regions are home to countryside retreats that sit just a short drive to Johannesburg and Pretoria, as well as to safari parks where the Big Five roam. — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 21 July 2026 These are the same groups showing up in demand for short, intensive retreats focused on sleep repair, nervous-system recovery, and structured disconnection from work. — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 The Upcoming High-Vibe Relationship Book Sedona Soul Adventures has been providing transformational retreats for individuals and couples for over two decades. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Over on the raw, elemental east coast (one of Traveler's Best Places to Go in 2026)—or, as locals would say, behind God's back—there's been a rise in down-to-earth wellness retreats and farm-to-table eateries. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 Their philosophy is to create design-forward retreats across the Mediterranean, combining the natural surroundings and heritage of each property with high-end service and amenities. — Jonathan Samuels, TheWeek, 17 July 2026 The Oaktree Capital Management cofounder and his wife, Nancy, have owned La Posada and Sa Punta for more than a decade, using the adjoining properties as holiday retreats. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 July 2026 Signature destination experiences and retreats designed for women seeking adventure, clarity, and connection. — Daphne Bryson Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 Interiors riff on Buckeye traditions and creative local art, while the rooms are calming retreats. — Rafael Pena, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026

Verb

As the hours tick away, Alana continues to emotionally unravel while Michael retreats inward, stonewalling law enforcement and his staff and pressing forward with life as usual. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 July 2026 At the end of every summer, the royal family retreats to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, their beloved getaway. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 21 July 2026 After Will’s funeral, Alice retreats to her in-laws’ remote, dilapidated house, where, through the Necronomicon, a demonic spirit is unleashed and begins to turn the family members into Deadites. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 When Aries pushes harder, Cancer retreats further, and neither feels understood. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 Exhausted, my mind retreats toward sleep. — Joseph Trinidad, Longreads, 16 June 2026 Wellness retreats top the list of luxury travel trends right now, but the price tags often stretch into the thousands. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026 Six affordable wellness retreats worth booking Ojo Spa Resorts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, centers its experience on hydrotherapy. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026 Tortorello said O’Mara would say Mass in the morning with the sisters, the students and staff, and also presided over the large, all-school masses and the Kairos retreats. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreats

Noun

At 18, accounts can convert to a Roth IRA, allowing tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified uses like higher education or a first home.

— Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Adults cannot make withdrawals on teens’ trust, in this case by asking them to share their life experiences and invest their energy and effort into cooperating with adults, if the adults have not built up their trust account.

— Krista Mehari, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

Definition of withdrawals

Noun

Expect rocky ridges and steep climbs, with mountain refuges along the route for meals and overnight stays.

— Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Campsites and mountain refuges along the route must be booked before the hike, and demand is high during the Southern Hemisphere summer from November through March.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Definition of refuges

Verb

Mei searches for community and purpose with the I Wor Kuen while Chris withdraws from daily life into increasingly Spartan spiritual practices.

— Dylan Adamson, IndieWire, 21 July 2026
If a candidate withdraws after that July 13 deadline, the party does not have any way to nominate a replacement.

— Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 6 July 2026

Definition of withdraws

Verb

When her best friend’s family suddenly flees under suspicious circumstances, taking her away with them, 10-year-old Lucía gathers her gang to launch a plan inspired by their favorite superheroes.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
Dunn, having none of it, stabs Dickie 20 times with a broken liquor bottle–with pants around his ankles, no less–while Alma flees out a window.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

Definition of flees

Verb

Toyota recently launched a $25 billion, tender-offer buyback that retires about 7% of outstanding shares, one of the largest repurchases in Japanese history.

— Tony Zhang, CNBC, 22 July 2026
Citation retires after the race with total earnings of $1,085,760.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of retires

Verb

SpaceX is also eyeing an equatorial orbit when Starship flies on the Artemis IV mission, and NASA may already be quietly shifting the mission's landing site to a higher latitude.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 July 2026
The servicer will have an onboard control system, which flies the spacecraft and keeps its body back at a safe distance while the arm reaches in.

— Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 22 July 2026