What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retrusive
Example
She was always retrusive at parties, preferring to stay in the background. [retrusive: adjective]
Example
His retrusive personality made it difficult for him to make new friends. [retrusive: adjective]
Example
The retrusive hairline made him look older than he was. [retrusive: adjective]
retreating
Example
The army began retreating from the battlefield after suffering heavy losses. [retreating: verb]
Example
She started retreating from the argument when she realized it was going nowhere. [retreating: gerund or present participle]
Example
The retreating tide left behind a trail of seaweed and shells. [retreating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retreating is a more commonly used word than retrusive in everyday language. Retreating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while retrusive is less common and may not be familiar to many English speakers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retrusive and retreating?
Both retrusive and retreating are relatively formal words, but retreating is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
