Retreat Definition

rĭ-trēt
retreated, retreating, retreats
noun
retreats
A going back or backward; withdrawal in the face of opposition or from a dangerous or unpleasant situation.
Webster's New World
Withdrawal to a safe or private place.
Webster's New World
The process of receding from a position or of becoming smaller.
Glaciers in retreat from positions of advancement.
American Heritage
The process of changing or undergoing change in one's thinking or in a position.
A leader's retreat from political radicalism.
American Heritage
A safe, quiet, or secluded place.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
verb
retreated, retreating, retreats
To move backward or away; withdraw or retire.
Retreated to his study.
American Heritage
To withdraw; make a retreat.
Webster's New World
To slope backward.
Webster's New World
To withdraw (a piece), as from a dangerous position.
Webster's New World
To move back from a position of advancement or become smaller.
Land that emerged when the oceans retreated.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
idiom
beat a retreat
  • to signal for retreat by beating a drum
  • to retreat in a hurry
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Retreat

Noun

Singular:
retreat
Plural:
retreats

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Retreat

Origin of Retreat

  • Middle English retret from Old French retrait, retret from past participle of retraire, retrere to draw back from Latin retrahere retract

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret (to draw back), from Latin retrahere (retract).

    From Wiktionary

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