What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retreatant
Example
The retreatant spent a week in silence, meditating and reflecting on their life. [retreatant: noun]
Example
She decided to become a retreatant after experiencing burnout from her job. [retreatant: adjective]
withdrawer
Example
He was known as a withdrawer because he tended to avoid conflict and confrontation. [withdrawer: noun]
Example
She became a withdrawer after experiencing a traumatic event that made her anxious around people. [withdrawer: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Withdrawer is more commonly used than retreatant in everyday language. Withdrawer is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while retreatant is less common and refers to a specific type of withdrawal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retreatant and withdrawer?
Both retreatant and withdrawer are neutral in terms of formality, but retreatant may be more formal due to its association with spiritual or religious contexts.