RETREATS Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

retreats 1 of 2

noun

plural of retreat

as in withdrawals

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

as in refuges

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

retreats

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of retreat

as in withdraws

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

as in flees

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

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 retreats

Noun

The Selling Sunset–style beach retreats span up to nearly 11,000 square feet, featuring double-height living spaces and kitchenettes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 Upscale retreats are being designed to blend seamlessly into some of the African country’s most remote environments; being hard to find offers the ultimate in exclusivity. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 Motu Tane near Bora Bora offers a good example of how these personal retreats are being repositioned. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The best Catskills hotels and Hudson Valley retreats offer a quiet respite from the flashing lights of the city and a place to check in with your thoughts after a busy work season. — Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026 The melting of glaciers in the Swiss Alps has revealed more than just the ground beneath them, as bodies of long-missing persons have been uncovered as the ice retreats. — James Powel, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 This way of handling stress occurs when someone acts calm, appeases the threatening person and retreats to de-escalate the situation. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 Applications for the upcoming retreats are available on the Casting for Recovery website, and selection is through a random lottery. — Madison Sawyer, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 There’s also an event center for hosting large groups—from family reunions and weddings to corporate retreats and business conventions. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

With the bulk of his work at practice done for the day, Achord retreats to the back of the end zone with Koonz, squatting and scribbling something on paper. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Twice a day, the tide retreats from the shoreline, sometimes for up to two miles. — Kim Foley MacKinnon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 As his mind retreats to the hues of old movies, Charlotte breaks the fog with a glimmer of humanity. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 The gunman briefly retreats, then returns to the window and fires inside the restaurant again, injuring a good Samaritan who was trying to help the trooper and render aid to Garibay. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 Start with energy markets and the fear of disruption to oil and gas exports if the United States retreats. — Michael Fuchs, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026 Their late summer adventures will likely take them to their country home, Anmer Hall, as well as to Balmoral, where the royal family retreats en masse as summer begins to turn into fall. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 29 July 2026 The mountain range is just a short distance from Balmoral, the Scottish castle and estate where the royal family annually retreats in late summer. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 The footage then appears to show the person attempting to kick the sea lion again as the animal retreats from its resting spot. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retreats

Noun

Sweeny received his place through the equivalent agreement with Tennis Australia, after Alexei Popyrin, the initial recipient, got into the main draw under his own power following withdrawals.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Under current law, funds may be accessed on a tax-advantaged basis when the policy is properly structured, funded, and maintained, but withdrawals and loans can affect policy performance and tax treatment.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdrawals

Noun

Such spaces create temporary refuges from the digital stream, and allow habits of slowness, concentration, and absorption to become socially reinforced.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Two mountain refuges sit high on the plateau, giving hikers the option to spend the night surrounded by Olympus' alpine scenery.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuges

Verb

At the end of the 2001 film, Rodriguez’s Letty flees the country.

— Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
Holden eagerly rebels against Pencey Prep, gets the boot, and flees to New York City, a place with its own vices and hazards, but without the sort of propaganda and pretense that obscure the school’s dark underside.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of flees

Noun

Other greats like Magic Johnson and Mario Lemieux made comebacks after early retirements for medical reasons.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
That far outpaces the 26% in the same age group who believe their retirements will be mostly funded by 401(k)s, IRAs and other retirement accounts, the poll found.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of retirements

Noun

Raymond’s complaint alleges Miranda continued taking dogs and collecting fees from shelters while killing some of the animals already in his care and, in some cases, falsely reporting that they had been adopted.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
People need to figure out what is out there, from emergency shelters to passport agencies.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shelters

Verb

Robinson retires with 565 catches, 7,058 yards, and 43 touchdowns.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
When a buyback operation retires $4 billion of 30-year bonds, that borrowing need grows by $4 billion, and with coupon auction sizes frozen, the marginal instrument is the bill.

— James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of retires

Verb

Delta Air Lines flies direct between Atlanta and Johannesburg and is expected to launch service between Atlanta and Cape Town later this year.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
Hig flies old Cessna planes into Denver for supplies and makes occasional deliveries to a local Mennonite community led by Aaron (Benedict Wong).

— Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026