1
as in withdrawing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fleeing
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 retreating
Parasite versus 1917 was expanding Oscar’s horizons versus retreating to familiar territory.
—
Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Goldman’s baseline forecast has Brent crude averaging $98 per barrel in March and April before retreating to $71 by year-end.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
The futures price for Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged to nearly $120 a barrel Monday — about 65% higher than when the war started — before retreating to just under $100.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
But instead of retreating, RFA went back to develop again in Augsburg.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
Brent crude oil, the international standard, surged to nearly $120 a barrel Monday, about 65% higher than when the war started, before retreating toward $90.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Years of satellite images have documented a dramatic increase in their number, area and volume – a direct response to glaciers retreating as global temperatures rise.
—Dan McGrath, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
In the third quarter, after taking a tumble, Green reached out and grabbed the ankle of a retreating Jabari Smith Jr.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Far from retreating, the government is entrenching itself.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Goldman’s baseline forecast has Brent crude averaging $98 per barrel in March and April before retreating to $71 by year-end.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
The futures price for Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged to nearly $120 a barrel Monday — about 65% higher than when the war started — before retreating to just under $100.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
But instead of retreating, RFA went back to develop again in Augsburg.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
Brent crude oil, the international standard, surged to nearly $120 a barrel Monday, about 65% higher than when the war started, before retreating toward $90.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Years of satellite images have documented a dramatic increase in their number, area and volume – a direct response to glaciers retreating as global temperatures rise.
—Dan McGrath, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
In the third quarter, after taking a tumble, Green reached out and grabbed the ankle of a retreating Jabari Smith Jr.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Far from retreating, the government is entrenching itself.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
-
Consider withdrawing $150,000 to buy the land then, wait to pull the next $150,000 in the next year.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Spurs imploded away to Atletico, also losing 5-2 and withdrawing their goalkeeper after going three down in 15 minutes.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yamaha joins a wave of major corporations fleeing California, including Tesla, In-N-Out and Chevron, citing costly regulations and unfavorable business conditions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Despite concerns about wealthy New Yorkers fleeing our city, the real exodus is happening in the middle.—
Gary LaBarbera,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Liu won the 2025 World title last March, less than a year after returning to the sport after retiring days after the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The deal comes two days after the Chargers signed veteran center Tyler Biadasz to take over for the retiring Bradley Bozeman.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Plus, here’s why flying in America is about to get more expensive and less fun.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Three others are flying more than 2,300 miles.—
Jay Posner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That was accomplished by bolting together several aluminum panels.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But, lo and behold, the game survived the pitch clock without Kenesaw Mountain Landis bolting from his slumber, so now comes the ABS challenge to stir the pot even more.—
Kevin Sherrington
Mar. 9,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
MacTaggart is part of a throng of young people who are turning to analog hobbies and activities as a means of escaping technology and reconnecting with childlike creativity and exploration.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Though mostly ground-dwelling and preferring to run, pheasants can perch to avoid predators and reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour when escaping danger.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Joveljic dummied Afrifa’s cutback pass, leaving the ball for the on-running Berg Johnsen.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Including Dolezal, who is running for lieutenant governor, four of the five Republicans on the committee are running for statewide office in 2026.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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