retreating from

USAGE SUMMARY

"retreating from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone or something moving away or withdrawing from a certain place or situation. It can also refer to a person changing their stance or opinion on something. Example: The soldiers were seen retreating from the battlefield, exhausted and defeated. Example: After careful consideration, the company announced that they would be retreating from their plans to expand into international markets. Example: I noticed my cat retreating from the room when the vacuum cleaner turned on.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Another night of retreating from the dark.

The New York Times

We're retreating from planetary cooperation.

The New York Times

The 1991 rebellion was sparked by soldiers retreating from Kuwait.

The New York Times

If we were retreating from the web, probably not.

The Guardian

Morgan Stanley is retreating from rail yards development.

The New York Times

Americans reacted first by retreating from the common culture.

The New Yorker

So if Gordon Brown is now "retreating" from a further stimulus package, he must be retreating from a position he had said he wasn't going to take anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

Philips's penchant for polish doesn't mean he's retreating from other areas of beauty.

The New York Times

Now those banks are retreating from making airline loans to save capital.

The New York Times

As for Marshall, he began retreating from the public eye before the 1962 season ended.

The New York Times - Sports

I remember when Diana, Princess of Wales made a similar announcement about retreating from society.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement, ensure that the subject "retreating from" and its destination are both explicitly stated, as in "The army was retreating from the city."

Common error

Avoid using "retreating from" when a stronger term like "abandoning" or "rejecting" is more appropriate. "Retreating from" suggests a strategic withdrawal, not necessarily a complete rejection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retreating from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of withdrawing or moving back from a position, commitment, or idea. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly employed across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retreating from" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of withdrawing from a position, plan, or commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It’s important to consider the context when choosing this phrase, ensuring it accurately reflects the nature of the withdrawal – whether it's strategic, forced, or a result of reevaluation. While widely applicable, being mindful of potential nuances and avoiding stronger alternatives when more fitting will ensure precise and effective communication. It appears mostly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withdrawing from

Focuses on the act of pulling back or removing oneself from a situation.

pulling back from

Highlights the act of deliberately retracting involvement or support.

backing away from

Emphasizes a cautious or hesitant withdrawal from a commitment or plan.

stepping away from

Indicates a voluntary and often temporary disengagement.

abandoning

Implies a complete and often permanent departure or relinquishment.

distancing oneself from

Emphasizes creating emotional or physical separation.

receding from

Suggests a gradual or subtle movement away from something.

reversing course on

Highlights a complete change of direction or strategy.

reneging on

Focuses on failing to honour a commitment or promise.

forsaking

Implies a more formal or solemn abandonment of something valued.

FAQs

How to use "retreating from" in a sentence?

You can use "retreating from" to describe a physical withdrawal, like "The soldiers were "retreating from" the battlefield", or a metaphorical withdrawal, like "The company is "retreating from" its initial marketing strategy".

What can I say instead of "retreating from"?

You can use alternatives like "withdrawing from", "backing away from", or "abandoning" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "retreating from a decision"?

Yes, it's correct. "Retreating from" can refer to reconsidering or withdrawing from a decision, plan, or commitment. It suggests a change of course or a backing down from a previous stance.

What's the difference between "retreat from" and "retreating from"?

"Retreat from" is the base form, while "retreating from" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "They are "retreating from" the area"). Both are grammatically valid.