retreat

1 of 2

noun

re·​treat ri-ˈtrēt 

1

a(1)

: an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable

(2)

: the process of receding from a position or state attained

the retreat of a glacier

b(1)

: the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position

(2)

: a signal for retreating

c(1)

: a signal given by bugle at the beginning of a military flag-lowering ceremony

(2)

: a military flag-lowering ceremony

2

: a place of privacy or safety : refuge

3

: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director

retreat

2 of 2

verb

retreated; retreating; retreats

intransitive verb

1

: to make a retreat : withdraw

2

: to slope backward

transitive verb

: to draw or lead back : remove

specifically : to move (a piece) back in chess

retreater noun

Synonyms

Noun

• withdrawal
• retirement

Verb

• withdraw
• retire

Choose the Right Synonym for retreat

recede, retreat, retract, back mean to move backward.

recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space.

the flood waters gradually receded

retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached.

retreating soldiers

retract implies drawing back from an extended position.

a cat retracting its claws

back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion.

backed off on the throttle

Examples of retreat in a Sentence

Noun

Some of her friends were surprised by her retreat from public life following her defeat in the election.

we made a strategic retreat when we realized that we were outnumbered

Verb

When the enemy attacked, our troops were forced to retreat.

They retreated behind trees for safety.

He quickly retreated from the room.

After her defeat, she retreated from politics.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As brands retreat from Pride, this company stepped up for visibility in rural towns. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 July 2025

That pattern—the burst of change followed by a retreat to the familiar—troubled me. —Jeroen Tas, Time, 10 July 2025

Verb

And in this story, Superman retreats from the world after being rejected by the public for adhering to an older moral code. —Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025

The nonsectarian center hosts retreats that range from 3 to 13 nights, for a wide variety of experience levels, with a central focus on Theravadin teachings and bodhicitta (striving to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings). —AFAR Media, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English retret, from Anglo-French retrait, from past participle of retraire to withdraw, from Latin retrahere, from re- + trahere to draw

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing retreat

• beat a retreat
• duty to retreat
• made/beat a hasty retreat
• sound/signal the retreat

Rhymes for retreat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

retreat

1 of 2 noun

re·​treat ri-ˈtrēt 

1

a

: an act of going away especially from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable

b

: a military retreat from the enemy

c

: a signal for retreating

2

: a place of privacy or safety : refuge

3

: a period of withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director

went on a spiritual retreat

retreat

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make a retreat

2

: to slope backward

retreater noun

Legal Definition

retreat

noun

re·​treat

: the act or process of withdrawing from a dangerous situation

Note: Many jurisdictions require that a person must have at least attempted a retreat, if it was possible to do so with safety, in order for a defense of self-defense to prevail. Retreat from an attack in one's own home, however, is usually not required.

retreat verb