1
as in withdrew
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 fled
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 retreated
The victim retreated into the gym, and the suspect left the scene, according to police.
—
Jason Green, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
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.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
Nuno had retreated to his dugout, head in hands.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Sandisk , up nearly 28% Tuesday, retreated more than 1% the following day.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®,liz Napolitano, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
As Rathbun and other officers retreated, Webster clenched both fists, crouched into a linebacker’s stance, and charged into Rathbun, knocking him to the ground.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Unsurprisngly, Meg White, who retreated from public life and hasn’t been heard from for over a decade, was a no-show.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
People retreated in fear that more would come.
—Kim Lane Scheppele, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The hot weather retreated and a series of tropical storms drenched the area.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreated
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 suspects fled the scene, last seen heading northbound on Kedzie Avenue in a sedan, police said.—
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Stella alleged that a small black hatchback vehicle struck her state police cruiser and then fled the scene.—
Verb
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Multiple key coordinators and assistants agreed to contracts with LSU shortly after Kiffin bolted from the Rebels, including offensive coordinator Weis, tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox, and wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator George McDonald.—
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The Wolverines bolted out to an 11-0 lead thanks to a defense that forced six early turnovers.—
Verb
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Bella escaped her family’s Houston, Texas, backyard on a rainy New Year's Eve in 2020.—
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The boyfriend and two of the girls died, but the youngest sister escaped.—
Verb
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Two Heat starters also ran into foul trouble early on, as Michell and Wiggins were each called for two fouls within the first six minutes of the contest.—
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The 2025-26 NBA season is in full swing, renewing the long-running debate over the league’s greatest player.—
Cite this Entry
“Retreated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreated. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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