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
After briefly retreating into a home in the area, deputies said that the suspect exited and surrendered.
—
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Consequently, Treasury yields are elevated relative to year-to-date lows and gold, despite retreating from its January peak, continues to signal that institutional safe-haven demand has not evaporated.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 22 May 2026
The term refers to employees retreating to office restrooms—not just for bathroom use but to decompress, cry, scroll their phones, calm down or escape workplace pressure for a few minutes.
—Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Oil prices and global stocks seesawed Monday as fighting in Iran kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, sending Brent crude above $112 a barrel before retreating on signs that a wider military strike might pause.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The loss of light meant retreating to safe positions until daybreak.
—David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
When hunger calls, head to Osteria del Sotto Sale for fresh seafood and pasta before retreating to Dimora dell'Olivastro, a tranquil guesthouse set among olive groves.
—Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
And the country’s disconnection from the regime comes as Putin has removed himself from public life, literally retreating into a bunker.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Also like last fall, The Voice will launch on two nights, Monday and Tuesday, before retreating to Mondays a couple of weeks in when NBA, plus baseball playoffs, take over Tuesday.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Consequently, Treasury yields are elevated relative to year-to-date lows and gold, despite retreating from its January peak, continues to signal that institutional safe-haven demand has not evaporated.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 22 May 2026
The term refers to employees retreating to office restrooms—not just for bathroom use but to decompress, cry, scroll their phones, calm down or escape workplace pressure for a few minutes.
—Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Oil prices and global stocks seesawed Monday as fighting in Iran kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, sending Brent crude above $112 a barrel before retreating on signs that a wider military strike might pause.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The loss of light meant retreating to safe positions until daybreak.
—David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
When hunger calls, head to Osteria del Sotto Sale for fresh seafood and pasta before retreating to Dimora dell'Olivastro, a tranquil guesthouse set among olive groves.
—Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
And the country’s disconnection from the regime comes as Putin has removed himself from public life, literally retreating into a bunker.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Also like last fall, The Voice will launch on two nights, Monday and Tuesday, before retreating to Mondays a couple of weeks in when NBA, plus baseball playoffs, take over Tuesday.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
-
The Kenyans ended their involvement in Haiti last month, withdrawing their last Kenyan police contingent and shipping out equipment, including armored vehicles used in the fight.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The two allegedly exchanged words before Radimak got out of the vehicle and assaulted both victims before fleeing the scene, police said.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
-
Radimak was accused of getting out of his car and assaulting her and a 35-year-old woman before fleeing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The city needs to create stronger renter protections to improve the quality of life for tenants, while allowing more homes to be built, benefiting the greatest number of people at different stages in their lives, from young tenants to retiring homeowners.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
-
Bettis has been a longtime competitor in the tournament since retiring in 2006.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Here is the sound of the settlers’ war chant, angry words that sent musket balls flying.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
Liverpool’s first goal, for example, came when Manchester United winger Amad received the ball, and both holding midfielders Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo went flying forward in advance of him, which left Amad with no passing option.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
So, a bit of shade can prevent bolting and keep the soil cooler, extending their harvest and yielding tender, flavorful roots.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 May 2026
-
You guys will normally read like 300-500 words before bolting.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The data hinted that water vapor escaping from Europa’s surface could be breaking apart into hydrogen and oxygen in space.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Octopuses can move at high speed by sucking water into an interior funnel and squirting it out like air escaping from a balloon.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
With Kean running unopposed in the June 2 Republican primary, whichever Democrat faces off against him in November will almost certainly shape their campaign around his disappearance.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
23 May 2026
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In the waning days before California’s primary election, the two top Republicans running for California governor delivered closing arguments in front of a friendly Central Valley audience Friday evening.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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