1
as in withdrawal
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 refuge
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 to withdraw
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 to flee
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 retreat
Hugh Leask, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Of course, no lakeside retreat is complete without evening s'mores, which are complimentary for resort guests.
—Megan Dubois, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Just look at the second-period power play where Boldy kept trying to skate through Colorado’s neutral-zone forecheck again and again and again — three times turning pucks over at the blue line, causing the Wild to retreat and their fans to audibly groan.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
AllianceBernstein is backing German global tank parts and transmissions maker Renk as a standout opportunity amid a sharp retreat in European defense stocks.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Of course, no lakeside retreat is complete without evening s'mores, which are complimentary for resort guests.
—Megan Dubois, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Verb
When he was diagnosed with dyslexia — a condition his father also manages — King retreated inward.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Just look at the second-period power play where Boldy kept trying to skate through Colorado’s neutral-zone forecheck again and again and again — three times turning pucks over at the blue line, causing the Wild to retreat and their fans to audibly groan.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
-
The withdrawal of 5,000 troops might drop numbers below that limit.—
Lorne Cook,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
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Under the settlement, the sheriff agreed to boost medical and dental staffing and training and expand treatment for people experiencing substance-use withdrawal.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2026
Noun
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As a break from the drudgery of surviving a fraught postgraduate landscape, Harris sought refuge in her imagination.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
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Today, Tursun lives in the United States with her surviving children after eventually receiving refuge following congressional testimony in 2018 about her experiences in China.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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This statute of limitations can effectively block student loan forgiveness for borrowers who seek Borrower Defense relief too long after withdrawing or graduating.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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García and Calvo have had a strained relationship since both attempted to run for office in the city, although García eventually withdrew from the race.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
Verb
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That night, both the President and his wife periodically fled upstairs to check on their most beloved son, the eleven-year-old Willie, sick with a fever that would kill him two weeks later.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Prosecutors said that bystanders dialed 911 during the attack, but McHenry fled the scene, the outlet reported.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Adapted from Richard Osman's best-selling novel of the same name, this lighthearted crime caper centers on four amateur sleuths living in a retirement community who look into a suspicious murder.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
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Frost maintained that CalPERS is one of the most transparent retirement systems in the country and, as required by California law, the fund reports fees and fund performance to the public and the Legislature.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Though many people come to far West Texas for its isolation—the Unabomber’s slightly less reclusive brother did a stint here in the eighties, living at first in a crude underground shelter—Miller said that immigration-enforcement agents have been an intrusive presence for many years.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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Newborns in incubators were transferred and doctors and nurses scrambled to find shelter amid fears the hospital would become the next casualty in Haiti’s escalating gang wars.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Juan Pinillos, the current North Miami Beach Police chief, said the department could not answer specific questions – like why not all the boys were interviewed – because the lead detective in the case had retired, and so much time had passed.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
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After retiring from the LAPD in 1995, Fuhrman became a conservative commentator, true-crime author and television personality.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The short-range radars track low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles that can avoid larger radar systems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
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But the upside is a breeziness that keeps the ten 40-ish minute chapters flying by, buoyed by sharp jokes and propelled by clever twists.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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