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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retreat
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Layer in lighting once the sun goes down Plants do half the work of a patio retreat.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Pat Riley is not retiring, resigning or — here’s the relevant point — retreating.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Noun
The patio earns its keep as both a relaxing retreat and a working kitchen garden.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Layer in lighting once the sun goes down Plants do half the work of a patio retreat.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Christian mystics throughout the centuries—Smith writes, for instance, of the 16th century’s Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, among many others—explored the ways in which retreating into solitude or letting the world slip amid silence had the potential to yield profound spiritual insights.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Pat Riley is not retiring, resigning or — here’s the relevant point — retreating.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreat
Noun
-
News of the troop withdrawal drew swift condemnation from Democrats in Congress and members of a hawkish Washington think tank.—
Ben Finley,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
News of the withdrawal was reported earlier by The New York Times, Reuters and other outlets.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and cover your head, or leave your vehicle and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The definition of refuge is shelter, protection or safety from danger.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For 2026, you are allowed to withdraw up to $20,000 for allowable educational expenses.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 lays out a timeline for when lawmakers must be notified of hostilities and when a president is required to withdraw American forces from a conflict in the absence of congressional authorization.—
May 1,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The suspect fled from the hospital after the shooting and was later taken into custody, where a weapon was recovered, the Police Department said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In May 2020, sheriff’s deputy Aaron Russell, who was assigned to the Central Jail, shot and killed 36-year-old Nicholas Bils as Bils fled, unarmed, after slipping out of handcuffs just outside the facility.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The groups cited a Vanguard study that found the retirement wealth of nonprofit workers could increase at least $525 million annually if CITs were allowed in 403(b) plans.—
Taylor Millard,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
-
The website will provide information about high-quality, low-cost independent retirement accounts and ensure a contribution match for those who open an IRA listed on the site.—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
According to court documents, facility staff identified the suspect as Felicia Anderson, 39, who is listed as a shelter resident.—
Alexa Ashwell,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
-
In 2024, a record 2,100 sea lions parked themselves at the dock, with the Pier 39 marina providing an ideal living situation because of the available food and shelter from predators.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mary Brown retired after coaching boys and girls volleyball in the district for 19 years, including the past eight years with the Knights’ boys team.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But, after the couple retired and migrated south to Mexico City, Hurst dove back into photography with gusto, until his death, from cancer, in 2023.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By the final showdown, the production has made use of every bit of stage space, with sensational flying sequences (choreographed by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant) that allow the vampires to float, hover, and—in one especially intense moment—dive from that bridge.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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Worst of all, like Zoolander 2 did before it, the film badly miscalculates the value of showbiz and industry cameos, which reach critical mass when the team members fly to Milan and, weirdly, only one of the latter (Donatella Versace, having an awkward lunch with Emily) seems to work.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreat. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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