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
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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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retreated But precisely as its students triumphed, Achievement First retreated from its founding commitments. —
Steven F. Wilson, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026 The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, retreated on the news, falling to around $104 a barrel. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 Japan and South Korea stocks hit record highs overnight, before Asia-Pacific markets retreated into negative territory, following the reports of Iran tanker interceptions. —Hugh Leask,holly Ellyatt,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 Vince has retreated from the public. —Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 The result of days of negotiations Thursday’s proceedings came to a standstill as lawmakers retreated behind closed doors and Johnson reached for an agreement to resolve the standoff. —Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 According to surveillance video taken from inside the residence, two people in the room closest to the front door had retreated to a back room as the officers approached. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 The carrier retreated to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the island of Crete for maintenance work March 23. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026 After mixed results from these initial high-profile tastings, many startup companies retreated behind closed doors amid funding difficulties and political pushback from states. —Jaia Clingham-David, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Apr. 2026
Steven F. Wilson, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026 The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, retreated on the news, falling to around $104 a barrel. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 Japan and South Korea stocks hit record highs overnight, before Asia-Pacific markets retreated into negative territory, following the reports of Iran tanker interceptions. —Hugh Leask,holly Ellyatt,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 Vince has retreated from the public. —Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 The result of days of negotiations Thursday’s proceedings came to a standstill as lawmakers retreated behind closed doors and Johnson reached for an agreement to resolve the standoff. —Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 According to surveillance video taken from inside the residence, two people in the room closest to the front door had retreated to a back room as the officers approached. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 The carrier retreated to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the island of Crete for maintenance work March 23. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026 After mixed results from these initial high-profile tastings, many startup companies retreated behind closed doors amid funding difficulties and political pushback from states. —Jaia Clingham-David, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreated
Verb
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In 2000, the UNIFIL established a de-facto area along the southern Lebanese border with Israel, after Israeli forces withdrew following their second invasion.— Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
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An earlier court petition was dismissed in 2015 after the ex-wife withdrew it.— Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The military then attacked one of the vehicles and a building from which the individuals had fled.— Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
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That resident was able to leave the scene and call 911 but the suspects had fled in a vehicle before police got on scene two minutes later.— Harry Harris, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The foundations were welded and bolted to the strengthened deck, and the rotors themselves, fabricated with inner steel cores and composite shells, were then lifted by crane.— Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
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Some hatchlings bolted straight for the surf, while a few needed a gentle nudge from the marine team.— Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 28-year-old driver initially escaped but was later located by military police on the base and taken into custody.— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
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Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore The Indonesian archipelago straddles many of the waterways governing access between the Indian Ocean and the rest of East Asia, which hasn’t escaped the notice of Indonesian officials.— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cheek initially runs towards the pass but gambles on the ball bouncing over the defender and runs behind him.— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
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Videos from in front of the school show the streets splattered with blood, gunshots sounding in the distance, and a flurry of men — young and old — frantically running around and calling for help.— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/retreated. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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