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
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
The retreat will include interactive talks, personal time for couples’ reflection and discussion, a continental breakfast and catered lunch, and adoration with a special blessing for the couples.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Peter Bart, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
Nuno had retreated to his dugout, head in hands.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Silvae Spiritus Finlayson, Minnesota Ninety minutes north of Minneapolis, Silvae Spiritus touts itself as the country’s first retreat anchored in forest therapy.
—Verb
No longer a complete unknown wrapped in the Bob Dylan mystique, Chalamet has energized a balky awards circuit whose stars and filmmakers years ago had retreated from the rigors of self-promotion, with some still preferring to avoid it.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
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Lines died from drug withdrawal in the Las Colinas women’s jail in May, a day after her arrest.—
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The Reiner family released a statement to PEOPLE following Jackson's withdrawal.—
Noun
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Sosa Rojas first fled persecution in Venezuela in 2014, seeking refuge with his family in Colombia, where his wife was born.—
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The Tofinu took refuge in the lagoons along the Bight of Benin, a core area of the slave trade, venturing forth in canoes with harpoons, javelins, and swords to fight off raiders from powerful nearby kingdoms.—
Verb
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Former North Crowley standout Ka’Morreun Pimpton also withdrew his name from the portal Sunday.—
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) withdrew its troops last week following a deadline from Saudi Arabia.—
Verb
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The tanker, Bella 1, had renamed itself Marinera and registered under the Russian flag after fleeing the region, according to an intelligence report from AI maritime analytics firm Windward.—
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Instead of stopping to help the victim, the driver fled from the area.—
Noun
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Outside of the coach, his wife and his successor, Frank Solich, no one knew of Osborne’s impending retirement.—
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America’s retirement outlook is getting brighter.—
Noun
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If no shelter is available avoid trees, power lines, and the side of the road.—
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Palestinians are spending their third winter displaced, said Sam Rose, acting director of Gaza affairs at UNRWA, adding that insufficient items for shelter had entered the enclave.—
Verb
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Instead, the program will change where the sales tax dollars go — redirecting dollars that would have otherwise been added to the state’s general fund to pay for highways, schools and other services to pay off the project’s debt and retire the bonds.—
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Trent is a high school administrator, while Cheryl, now retired, spent her career as a juvenile probation officer, per Yahoo!—
Verb
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The self-flying camera is equipped with a 4K camera capable of recording at up to 100 frames per second.—
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On Wednesday, numerous commemorations and tributes occurred in the devastated communities and throughout the city and county of Los Angeles —including flags flying at half-staff at City Hall, county buildings and at all state buildings.—
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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