What does "retreat" mean?

The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.

What is a synonym for "retreat"?

Common synonyms include: back away, crawfish, draw back, hideaway, recede, retire.

/ɹɪˈtɹiːt/ name, noun, verb

name, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level

Noun

1
The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
"In a retreat he outruns any lackey."
2
the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant) wordnet
3
The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.; The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
4
withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation wordnet
5
The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.; Withdrawal by a military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack.
"The general opted for a swift retreat because he saw his troops were vastly outnumbered."

Show 12 more definitions

6
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat wordnet
7
A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.
"a mountain retreat"
8
an area where you can be alone wordnet
9
A peaceful, quiet place in which to urinate and defecate: an outhouse; a lavatory. euphemistic, obsolete, rare
10
(military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset wordnet
11
A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude, especially for meditation, prayer, or study.
"We both need a week retreat after those two stressful years working in the city."
12
(military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position wordnet
13
A signal for a military withdrawal.
14
a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet wordnet
15
A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base.
"to-morrow the Royal Standard will be hoisted at Edinburgh Castle from reveille to retreat."
16
A military ceremony to lower the flag.
17
The move of a piece from a threatened position.

Verb

1
To withdraw from a position, go back. intransitive
2
Alternative form of re-treat. alt-of, alternative, intransitive
3
make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity wordnet
4
To withdraw from a position, go back.; To withdraw military forces. intransitive
"The general refused to order his soldiers to retreat, despite being vastly outnumbered."
5
pull back or move away or backward wordnet

Show 4 more definitions

6
To shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures. (of a glacier) intransitive
7
move back wordnet
8
To slope back. intransitive
"a retreating forehead"
9
move away, as for privacy wordnet

Proper Noun

1
A locality in George Town council area and the City of Launceston, northern Tasmania, Australia.

"I was uncertain whether to advance or to retreat."

Etymology 1

From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho. Doublet of retract, retrait, and ritratto.

Etymology 2

From re- + treat.