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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreats
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Dozens of people who have participated in retreats in the US and abroad responded to a CNN callout about psilocybin retreats.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Fergie has reportedly stayed at different wellness retreats in the past few months, including in the French Alps, Switzerland, and Ireland.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 Mar. 2026
Most co-curricular activities, like arts and leadership programs, would be shared, but spiritual programming and retreats would remain separate.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Wellness retreats featuring spa treatments and yoga classes have long attracted travelers.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Caroly is immediately affected, glued to the TV; John, suddenly irritable, retreats.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
In 2026, Desierto Azul’s cofounder and on-site nutritionist will lead women’s retreats tied to personal enlightenment, hormone regulation through nutrition, and fertility preparation.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 20 Mar. 2026
After a painful breakup, college junior Blake Logan retreats to her family's lake house in Tahoe and meets Wyatt Graham.
—Jessica Moore, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Around the world, spas are often physically inaccessible, retreats off-limits by design, and practitioners limited in their ability and training to see disabled bodies as deserving of the restoration everyone so desperately needs.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
But unlike at some jungle retreats, which demand a certain ability to rough it, even the most spider-averse will feel at home here—kids in particular.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
Dozens of people who have participated in retreats in the US and abroad responded to a CNN callout about psilocybin retreats.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Fergie has reportedly stayed at different wellness retreats in the past few months, including in the French Alps, Switzerland, and Ireland.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 Mar. 2026
Most co-curricular activities, like arts and leadership programs, would be shared, but spiritual programming and retreats would remain separate.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Wellness retreats featuring spa treatments and yoga classes have long attracted travelers.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Caroly is immediately affected, glued to the TV; John, suddenly irritable, retreats.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
In 2026, Desierto Azul’s cofounder and on-site nutritionist will lead women’s retreats tied to personal enlightenment, hormone regulation through nutrition, and fertility preparation.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
By Saturday night, geomagnetic activity weakens and retreats north, making aurora visibility in Iowa unlikely or very limited.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 20 Mar. 2026
After a painful breakup, college junior Blake Logan retreats to her family's lake house in Tahoe and meets Wyatt Graham.
—Jessica Moore, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Around the world, spas are often physically inaccessible, retreats off-limits by design, and practitioners limited in their ability and training to see disabled bodies as deserving of the restoration everyone so desperately needs.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreats
Noun
-
Generally speaking, this matters for Social Security optimization because Roth IRA distributions, unlike traditional IRA withdrawals, are not included in provisional income calculations.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Traditional IRAs force withdrawals starting at age 73, which means less control over your tax bill in retirement.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Why perpetuate this problem in city parks — our best refuges from the danger, noise and congestion of city streets?—
Jon Orcutt,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Each retiree withdraws $50,000 per year.—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Tax lien changes Fresh Start also introduced changes to how and when the IRS files and withdraws tax liens, and to the dollar amounts that trigger the issuance of a lien.—
Deane Biermeier,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 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 success of the (ahem) more mature coaches flies in the face of the narrative following a spate of recent retirements.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Sudden retirements from board members can be unsettling to investors at times, but Cardinal said this decision was not the result of any disagreement with the company on any matter related to its operations, policies, or practices.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
SaveABunny partners with other shelters and is often the last resort.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In their filing in Sacramento Superior Court, the residents accuse city officials of violating Measure O, which mandates that interim shelters sit more than 500 feet away from bodies of water or streams.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pairing up Horse mounted patrol officers are trained to be able to ride any horse within their unit, but they’re paired with one in particular, until the animal retires.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
With some help from the Aggies defense, Peters retires three straight batters and boasts two straight strikeouts.—
Zoe Collins Rath,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Banish flies from your home this spring with this easy-to-use insect trap.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Back at Mill Creek Park, amid a crowd of protesters taking a breather after the march, one demonstrator flies a kite.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreats. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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