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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Abigail Adams, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Reportedly, Posey also enjoys tending to a garden at the rural retreat.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
William Gavin, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2025
In the wake of the great DEI surge of 2020–2021 and the current collapse and retreat from creating more equitable workplaces, women of color—and particularly Black women—find themselves under attack, and in desperate need of support from true allies.
—Shari Dunn, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
The aftermath of Darcey’s explosive arrival to the couple’s retreat continued on the Feb. 24 episode of 90 Day: The Last Resort.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Reportedly, Posey also enjoys tending to a garden at the rural retreat.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
About 20% of companies in the S&P 100 have retreated from DEI commitments, Bloomberg News reported.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2025
In the wake of the great DEI surge of 2020–2021 and the current collapse and retreat from creating more equitable workplaces, women of color—and particularly Black women—find themselves under attack, and in desperate need of support from true allies.
—Shari Dunn, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
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Its second phase is meant to bring the release of remaining hostages, a lasting truce and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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This allows for substantial retirement savings potential while providing a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy.—
Jessica Ledingham, J.D.,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Many have sought refuge in sprawling outdoor areas, living for months in makeshift tents made of cloth and nylon – with little access to warmth, electricity or heating.—
Kareem Khadder,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
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Nomadic Bedouin tribes have long sought temporary refuge in the city.—
Hannah Edgar,
ARTnews.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But that means patients don’t have the usual right of a trial participant to withdraw from a study at any time, Johnson notes.—
Amber Dance,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 Mar. 2025
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This is evident in the agency's recent decision under current leadership to withdraw several high-profile lawsuits alleging violations of consumer financial laws against Early Warning Services, the operator of Zelle, and major banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo.—
Lenwood V. Long, Sr.,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In May 2023, while awaiting trial in a Virginia jail, Marin-Sotelo and another inmate managed to escape, with Marin-Sotelo fleeing to Mexico.—
Max Saltman,
CNN,
3 Mar. 2025
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The sheriff’s office said a man fled the scene, but was taken into custody a short time later with assistance from BSO’s K-9, Aviation and T.I.T.A.N. (Threat Intervention Tactics Analytics Network) units.—
Rod Stafford Hagwood,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Luka Dončić records triple double in first game against Dallas Mavericks WNBA legend Diana Taurasi announces retirement And the Thunder are doing all of that even though their opening day roster had the youngest age (24.15) and least experience (2.56 seasons) of any franchise.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Listen to this article As a chef, Antonio Castro was never offered a pension and could never save much for retirement.—
Michael Cuglietta,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Fun fact: The building doubled as a bomb shelter during the Cold War, said Moletz.—
Ryan Deto,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
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The closure also comes as the Trump administration has taken a hard line on immigration and criticized New York City’s hotel shelters and the Roosevelt in particular.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Its presiding judge, David Hagerman, retired earlier this year.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2025
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The Kansas City Chiefs' tight end has signed on for another season with the NFL team, choosing not to retire after the team’s Super Bowl 2025 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Colored powder was flying in the air on Sunday in Scripps Ranch during a Holi festival put on by a San Diego nonprofit for the first time.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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Ramsey flies more than 400,000 miles per year and has traveled to all 7 continents, 50 U.S. states and 173 of the United Nations countries.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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