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
Relevance
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
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 retreat
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
Margot Robbie went there for a yoga and surfing retreat (and encountered a human foot on the beach, but that’s another story).
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 19 May 2025
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Recently, the actor has retreated from public view, and his last remaining fans have taken to expressing concern for his well-being.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Conyers is also the respite for The Monastery of the Holy Spirit, a serene retreat with opportunities for reflection and exploration.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
Margot Robbie went there for a yoga and surfing retreat (and encountered a human foot on the beach, but that’s another story).
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 19 May 2025
Verb
Burrow and the Bengals won’t quietly take the short end of the scheduling stick, specifically against their biggest rival, and retreat to their corner.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Recently, the actor has retreated from public view, and his last remaining fans have taken to expressing concern for his well-being.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
-
The sculpture’s location itself is one of total urban deletion and communicative displacement as much as the sculptural structure is one of perceptual withdrawal and refusal of even a minimum of gratifying tactility.—
Benjamin H. D. Buchloh,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
No one knows exactly how much is left, but the study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, shows an alarming rate of withdrawal of a vital water source for a region that could also see its supply of Colorado River water shrink.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
The project involves creating a pedestrian refuge island across Illinois Street, and reducing lanes on Illinois Street to include dedicated bike lanes between Riverside Avenue and First Street.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
-
Many North Slope Iñupiat leaders who support drilling in the refuge felt their voices were not heard during the Biden era.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
President Trump plans to withdraw his nomination of Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and close associate of Elon Musk’s, who was on track to be the next NASA administrator.—
Jonathan Swan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
-
After launching a proxy fight for two board seats, this campaign came to a head when Engine withdrew their director nominations on May 8.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
But in 1986, after three years of public protests, the Marcoses fled into exile, with a planeload of jewels, cash, and gold bars.—
Evan Osnos,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
-
Magnotta fled Canada after the murder, wearing a wig and boarding a flight to Paris, Global News reported.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Mellanby, whose specialized brand of extermination fueled the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup Finals, announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday.—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
Roberts recently announced his retirement after 14 years at KU and 37 years total. Vaughn, 50, is ready to re-embrace the college game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
-
Architect Marina Tabassum’s 2025 Serpentine Pavilion is a meditation on shelter, climate and community—a place for gathering, reflection, and imagining new ways of being together in public space.—
Nargess Banks,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Mutombo, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer was the NBA’s first global ambassador after retiring in 2009.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
Meanwhile, chief diversity officers have been resigning, retiring or getting laid off — and they are not being replaced.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
This technology allows even those with limited flying experience to handle the bike safely and confidently.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
-
Perez was intentionally walked to load the bases, but the Royals stranded all three runners as Maikel Garcia flew out to right field.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share