Retreat meaning

What does “retreat” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“retreat” is a noun and verb with 11 meanings. Its most common meaning is: (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat.

retreat

noun

  1. (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

    “the disorderly retreat of French troops”

  2. a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet

  3. (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position

  4. (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset

  5. an area where you can be alone

    Synonymshideaway
  6. withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation

    “the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity”

    Synonymsretirement
  7. the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)

    Oppositesadvance

verb

  1. pull back or move away or backward

    “The enemy withdrew”

    “The limo pulled away from the curb”

  2. move away, as for privacy

    “The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer”

  3. move back

    “The glacier retrogrades”

    Synonymsretrograde
  4. make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity

    “We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him”

    “He backed out of his earlier promise”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University