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
Three top concerns include elections and political turmoil that threaten progress, companies retreating or staying silent on DEI and ESG goals, and the rise of sustainability reporting that’s (temporarily) taking up companies’ time.
—
Andrew Winston, Harvard Business Review, 20 Dec. 2024
Deporting millions of immigrants and retreating from global trade by implementing slogans like America First will not achieve these goals.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
When the group began retreating from the tree, one of the hunters shot the bear, which fell onto another hunter who was standing about 10 feet from the bottom of the tree.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024
Is women’s power in the world advancing or retreating?
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
As British forces and their allies crowded Gadsden’s Wharf on the city’s eastern peninsula, thousands of people enslaved by retreating Loyalists scrambled for space aboard a fleet of 130 ships.
—Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
However, Lee then sees the index retreating to 6,600 by the end of the year.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
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
Others played people retreating into themselves to escape pain or rejection.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
Andrew Winston, Harvard Business Review, 20 Dec. 2024
Deporting millions of immigrants and retreating from global trade by implementing slogans like America First will not achieve these goals.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
When the group began retreating from the tree, one of the hunters shot the bear, which fell onto another hunter who was standing about 10 feet from the bottom of the tree.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024
Is women’s power in the world advancing or retreating?
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
As British forces and their allies crowded Gadsden’s Wharf on the city’s eastern peninsula, thousands of people enslaved by retreating Loyalists scrambled for space aboard a fleet of 130 ships.
—Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
However, Lee then sees the index retreating to 6,600 by the end of the year.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
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
Others played people retreating into themselves to escape pain or rejection.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreating
Verb
-
In December 2023, Congress passed a National Defense Authorization Act that aimed to block any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without approval from the Senate or an act of Congress.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
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But administration officials may have had broader reasons for officially withdrawing the draft regulations.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Global Refuge told Newsweek that it is encouraged by the White House's statement that no decision has been made, as revoking protections now would signal a concerning shift in America's commitment to those fleeing conflict.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The New York Times reported that in Panama the first flights of these migrants included Christians fleeing persecution in Iran and Chinese nationals seeking asylum.—
Jack Herrera,
The New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Among them, Oakland, California, whose voters recalled Mayor Sheng Thao in November, will hold a special election on April 15 that could feature a retiring member of Congress.—
Geoffrey Skelley,
ABC News,
6 Jan. 2025
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Finally, accelerated demand led by corporate refugees is being met by a steady supply of businesses from retiring baby boomers.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Reading can be a powerful way of escaping, relaxing and realizing truths about ourselves and the world.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN,
24 Mar. 2025
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Many of us dream of financial freedom, escaping the grind, and living in luxury.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Enlist the help of a running coach.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Dec. 2024
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Penn State reaffirmed that belief by dismantling SMU and running the ball well against one of the best run defenses in the country.—
Justin Williams,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Retreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreating. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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