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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Heather Greenwood Davis, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
This 27-room adults-only retreat (that means age 13 and up here), located steps away from Mykonos’ old town, combines modern design with the island's unique natural allure.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 16 July 2025
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Cal Quantrill spent the All-Star break in Ontario, Canada, relaxing by the lake and retreating from the Florida summer humidity.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
Blackout curtains and excellent soundproofing make the hotel feel like a retreat, even with occasional fan madness outside.
—Heather Greenwood Davis, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
This 27-room adults-only retreat (that means age 13 and up here), located steps away from Mykonos’ old town, combines modern design with the island's unique natural allure.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 16 July 2025
Verb
Still, the power lunch endures, retreating in periods of economic and moral penny-pinching only to reëmerge when the belts and inhibitions of the ruling class undergo their periodic loosening.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Cal Quantrill spent the All-Star break in Ontario, Canada, relaxing by the lake and retreating from the Florida summer humidity.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
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Explore strategies life Roth conversions or strategic withdrawals to maximize tax efficiency.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
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That means there are fewer tax planning opportunities compared with traditional and Roth IRAs, where there's either a tax break on contributions or on withdrawals.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
18 July 2025
Noun
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Johnston Atoll, an unincorporated US territory and Pacific island wildlife refuge with a complicated military history, will no longer become a SpaceX reusable rocket test site, Popular Science reports.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
18 July 2025
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Some 600 people, most of them children, were given refuge in the church before it was struck, the Patriarchate said in a statement Thursday.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Stanley said crews were initially able to fight the fire near a chlorine leak at a water treatment facility, but eventually had to withdraw due to safety concerns for pilots who could breathe toxic fumes.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
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Topline Half of the roughly 4,000 National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles last month amid immigration raid protests will be withdrawn, the Trump administration announced Tuesday, calling off the soldiers weeks after California Gov. Gavin Newsom unsuccessfully tried to block their deployment.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Villagers flee their homes near the Thai border in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province on July 25, 2025.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Yang’s deportation to Laos – a country her parents were forced to flee following US military intervention – underscores the sweeping and aggressive tactics Trump’s White House is using to expel immigrants.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Appearing on the latest episode of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd, released Monday, July 21, the 48-year-old star revealed that his desire for normalcy in a family of entertainers led to his early retirement from the entertainment industry.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
21 July 2025
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The administration is proceeding with offers of early retirement, buyouts, and deferred resignation to federal civil servants.—
Chad Kirchner,
ArsTechnica,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
After months of visits (and gifts of fresh coffee) the woman finally expressed interest in staying at a shelter, and leaders were ecstatic about where that might lead.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 July 2025
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Whether that be seeking mental health help from Beacon Mental, one of The Center’s program partners, or going to a shelter, sometimes people have a waiting period or no way to get to the receiving entity.—
Alecia Taylor,
Kansas City Star,
20 July 2025
Verb
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The same's true for someone who is retired and taking taxable withdrawals from traditional 401(k) plans.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
-
Merle sold his barbershop the same day and retired.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The scene concludes with a lot of digital images flying up on the screen and some positively insane synthesizer music from composer Ennio Morricone.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
19 July 2025
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The group was exchanged for more than 250 Venezuelans deported from the U.S. and flown in March to El Salvador's high-security prison.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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