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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2024
The idea of breaking up the GOP priorities into more than one bill was proposed by incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) during a policy retreat on Capitol Hill.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024
New Atlas, 10 Dec. 2024
After a witness started yelling, Pollard grabbed the victim’s purse — stealing between $1,000 and $2,000 — retreated to a car and drove away.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for retreat 
Noun
Maury predicts that as Majorca becomes overrun with international chains, the appeal of such agrarian retreats will only increase.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2024
The idea of breaking up the GOP priorities into more than one bill was proposed by incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) during a policy retreat on Capitol Hill.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
Regardless of views on climate change and global warming, the world's glaciers are increasingly retreating despite seasonal fluctuations and independent of natural glacial movement caused by factors like internal deformation.
—New Atlas, 10 Dec. 2024
After a witness started yelling, Pollard grabbed the victim’s purse — stealing between $1,000 and $2,000 — retreated to a car and drove away.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
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Attorney General: Pam Bondi Trump announced former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his pick to lead the Justice Department—elevating an ally shortly after former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal.Sara Dorn, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
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For the rebel alliance, the withdrawal of Hezbollah presented a valuable opportunity.Jonathan Spicer and Maya Gebeily, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Evacuations By nightfall, around 100 residents had taken refuge in emergency shelters in Canlaon following the mid-afternoon eruption, according to Cardenas.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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The faction finally claimed the capital Damascus at the weekend, prompting President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country and seek refuge in Russia, according to Russian state media reports.Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Throughout the day Saturday, as the rebel forces were on the move, the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of the rebels, according to the military and an opposition war monitor.Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2024
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The military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn Yoon’s decree, forcing his Cabinet to lift it before daybreak Wednesday.Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Rebel fighters recently seized control of Syria, with Assad reported to have fled to Russia.Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
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Key Background Thousands of detainees fled Syrian prisons this week after Bashar al-Assad’s government was overthrown over the weekend.Ty Roush, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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What is interesting is the graphic that shows the revenue share mode, along with retirement and insurance funds, there are images of past UFC fighters shown.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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But the truth is, fortunes will be made in the next four years and, sadly, retirements will be lost.Brett Owens, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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University officials confirmed that power remains out, and students should plan to stay in these shelters overnight.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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That can look like visiting a homeless shelter or a children’s hospital in real-time.Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The two soon-to-be senators both handily won their elections last month, replacing retiring Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.).Al Weaver, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
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His father was a former member of the U.S. Marine Corp who worked for Magnavox and Philip's Electronics after retiring from the military.Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The 30-year-old Hawaii native was flying from Maui to N.Y.C. with a connection at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Nov. 8.Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
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After the fall of Hosni Mubarak, ordinary Egyptians brought paint cans from home to Tahrir Square, to re-mark the curbs that had been flaked from years of government neglect, and abraded by tanks and flying bricks during the protests.Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near retreat
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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