RETREATED Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

retreated

verb

past tense of retreat

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

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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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 Officers retreated and called for backup, but officials said the suspect fired shots at police. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026 Once promoted by her husband as a possible successor in the Governor’s Mansion, Casey DeSantis has since largely retreated from public view. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 The show then immediately followed it up with a pair of episodes in which Daniela, having retreated to the remote family lake house of her youth, winds up interacting with Gabriel, the father of her Analog World equivalent. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, conservative activists spread rumors last week that Talarico was struggling with his mental health and had secretly retreated to an Ohio hospital. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026 Although the regime has retreated from enforcing compulsory veiling, the opposition movement has continued to radicalize. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 Budgets have tightened and commissioners have retreated to the familiar — backing low-cost dramas and safe-bet crime formats. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 While shares have retreated from their year-to-date highs, the Club holding is still up 47% in 2026. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 After the physical altercation, both men retreated toward their vehicles after witness Jamie Jedlinsky, 70, reportedly stepped in to defuse the situation. — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreated

Verb

After discussing the safety measures and hearing from those in attendance, Hall and Lett withdrew to discuss the vote over the phone with Eastern Commissioner Jamey Cope, who was absent for a conference.

— Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Two other Democrats with virtually no name recognition withdrew after the primary despite being in line to advance.

— Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

Prosecutors leveled new allegations during a bail hearing Friday, accusing the couple of almost never allowing the children outside and claiming that Zhang previously fled the country to avoid an abuse allegation.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
In the border city of Ayolas, across the Paraná River from Ituzaingó, more than 2,000 people have fled their homes, Mayor Carlos Duarte told a local radio station Friday.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of fled

Verb

What isn’t decided yet is whether AI agents get bolted onto old systems as an afterthought or built in from day one with the same discipline organizations already apply to hiring, managing and governing people.

— Ryan Austin, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Following the win, Smart bolted straight for the visitors section, slinging his visor around in the air while the Georgia fans and Kirby's wife waited to embrace his family.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of bolted

Verb

Serhii Sternenko, who runs a foundation supplying drones to Ukrainian forces and previously served as an adviser to Ukraine's defense minister, also reported the Starlink speed limits and later said the speeds were being limited even further.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The episode ends with Lee running for his life while McCann shoots into the darkness of the treeline.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of ran

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retreat

retreated

retreated (from)

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“Retreated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retreated. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of retreated

verb

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