Definition of retreat
1a (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 glacierb (1) : the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position (2) : a signal for retreatingc (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
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of retreat in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples of retreat from the Web
-
The back patio is a solid retreat: Grab a drink, take a seat on one of the benches, and wait out the cacophony inside.
-
The reasons for that grim retreat include the fragmentation of some school districts, the release of others from judicial oversight and court decisions that chilled integration drives.
-
Yet while this week’s retreat on a measure McConnell wrote behind closed doors dented his reputation as a consummate legislative seer, no one was counting him out.
-
McConnell's final announcement of retreat at the Tuesday lunch was typically understated.
-
A serene, private retreat where your beach is steps away.
-
Members of the public can spend an entire day unwinding at Rancho La Puerta, the legendary 3,000-acre rustic wellness retreat in Tecate, or even just grab a bite to eat at a new Mexican cafe adjacent to its organic farm and cooking school.
-
This week Mills is opening a summer retreat to Maine to help others like him who have suffered severe war injuries.
-
Another Failing Grade Front-month Brent oil futures fell below $45 per barrel on Wednesday, their lowest since November, with the retreat marking a fresh bear market for this grade of crude.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retreat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of retreat
Middle English retret, from Anglo-French retrait, from past participle of retraire to withdraw, from Latin retrahere, from re- + trahere to draw
retreat
Definition of retreat
retreater
nounExamples of retreat in a Sentence
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 of retreat from the Web
-
Crossovers may dominate in sales, but an affordable, efficient four-door sedan with a chassis and powertrain that don’t retreat at the first sign of spirited driving remains a universal target in the car biz.
-
Amid this carnage, ten pilgrims—three men and seven women—retreat to a country villa and agree to spend ten days regaling one another with ten stories a day.
-
Even in the earlier battle for East Mosul, IS fighters ceded one neighbourhood after another, and retreated west over the Tigris and onto Syria.
-
Suarez retreated to the bag and Votto delivered a throw, but Russell seemingly swam past the tag to get a finger on the base.
-
In Your Life: Practice learning when to retreat this month, little kitten.
-
And then at the end of May, Rauner left the Democrats in the lurch, ordering his Republican senators to retreat from the deal.
-
But Brooks isn't planning on retreating on important issues anytime soon.
-
The two women argued, and cousins Eric and Tequila Stephens testified that Mayhand retreated to the car.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retreat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of retreat
15th century
Synonym Discussion of retreat
RETREAT Defined for English Language Learners
retreat
playDefinition of retreat for English Language Learners
-
: movement by soldiers away from an enemy because the enemy is winning or has won a battle
-
: movement away from a place or situation especially because it is dangerous, unpleasant, etc.
-
: the act of changing your opinion or position on something because it is unpopular
retreat
Definition of retreat for English Language Learners
-
: to move back to get away from danger, attack, etc.
-
: to move or go away from a place or situation especially because it is dangerous, unpleasant, etc.
-
: to change your opinion or statement about something because it is unpopular
RETREAT Defined for Kids
Definition of retreat for Students
1 : an act of going back or away especially from something dangerous, difficult, or disagreeable The enemy is in retreat.
2 : a military signal for turning away from the enemy He sounded the retreat.
3 : a place of privacy or safety a mountain retreat
4 : a period of time in which a person goes away to pray, think quietly, or study
Definition of retreat for Students
retreated
;retreating
1 : to move back or away especially from something dangerous, difficult, or disagreeable The troops retreated at nightfall.
2 : to go to a place of privacy or safety The family retreated to their summer home.
Law Dictionary
retreat
Legal Definition of retreat
: the act or process of withdrawing from a dangerous situation
retreat
verbAdditional Notes on retreat
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.
Learn More about retreat
-
See words that rhyme with retreat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for retreat Spanish Central: Translation of retreat Nglish: Translation of retreat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of retreat for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up retreat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!