retreat
/ɹəˈtɹiːt/ · re·treat
noun
- The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant. The soldiers were ordered to retreat from the battlefield.
- The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position. The boat began to retreat from the shore as the tide came in.
- A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security. The monastery was a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.
verb
- To withdraw from a position, go back. The company will retreat from the market if sales continue to decline.
- Of a glacier, to shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures. The glacier has been retreating for decades due to climate change.
- To slope back. The retreating forehead of the elderly man was a sign of aging.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The word 'retreat' has been used in various contexts, including military strategy, personal refuge, and even music, as in the song 'Retreat' by The Human League.