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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Together, the two homes contain nine bedrooms and form a sprawling Ibizan retreat capable of comfortably accommodating lots of family and friends.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
With his unique falsetto, emotional delivery and irresistible backstory — retreating to a cabin in the woods following a pair of personal and professional breakups to record in solitude — Bon Iver earned significant industry respect and a devoted cult following.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Rascovan’s team revisited samples taken from a mass grave in Vilnius, Lithuania, located along the French army’s retreat route.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Together, the two homes contain nine bedrooms and form a sprawling Ibizan retreat capable of comfortably accommodating lots of family and friends.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
The series then retreats to 2019 to trace the circumstances that led to these killings, building toward the inevitability of Maggie and Paul’s death and filtering the whole family through a lens of catastrophe, where every member is either ill-fated or devious.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
With his unique falsetto, emotional delivery and irresistible backstory — retreating to a cabin in the woods following a pair of personal and professional breakups to record in solitude — Bon Iver earned significant industry respect and a devoted cult following.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
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The agreement included several conditions, including the release of all Israeli hostages both living and dead, and the withdrawal of some Israeli troops from Gaza.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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Said to offer a level of care not currently available in any other local program, patients would be overseen by doctors and nurses who would oversee withdrawal management and therapy designed to prevent relapses.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The island has long been a refuge for those who live their lives under constant gaze—The Obamas, the Royal Family, George and Amal Clooney have all escaped here for quiet restoration.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
22 Oct. 2025
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There will be no refuge or forgiveness—only justice.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Per Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel of ESPN, the University of Michigan and Moore appealed the case but have since withdrawn their appeals.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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The South American country withdrew visa-free access in April in response to the three countries barring Brazilian passport holders from visa-free access.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mykola, who fled the war in Ukraine in 2024, was a practicing doctor in Kyiv.—
Aditi Sangal,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
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The United Nations' migration agency said 2,500 to 3,000 people had fled El Fasher since Sunday.—
NPR,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Yes, Social Security payments, including Supplemental Security Income and benefits for retirement, disability and survivors, continue during a government shutdown.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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Union leaders say talks have stalled over issues such as wages and retirement benefits, while Boeing has argued that workers’ demands exceed the cost of living in the Midwest.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While deputies searched the shelter, a man fell through the ceiling and was immediately detained, Enriquez said.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Samaritan’s Purse has pledged 42 ambulances, 28 of them armored, to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, and is supporting 11 major construction projects, including ambulance response stations and community centers equipped with bomb shelters.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jackson, 67, announced plans to retire from performing due to the disease, with his final show scheduled for June 2026.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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What started as a weekend hobby quickly grew into a full-fledged business, and Molski, who has since retired from healthcare sales, couldn't be happier to spend his weekends hunting and restoring vintage pieces.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Alaska is the fifth largest US airline and flies 44 million passengers each year to 120 destinations in five countries, accoring to its website.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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As a defender in the English Premier League for 12 years, Higginbotham rarely had to fly.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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