retreat

noun re·treat \ ri-ˈtrēt \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: retreat in a Sentence

Definition of retreat

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

See retreat defined for English-language learners

See retreat defined for kids

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

And then there's the actual loft that doubles as a master bedroom and a day’s-end retreat for a busy 3-year-old boy.

— lisa van loo, azcentral, "Phoenix Coronado house renovation: Lofts, beams and Notorious B.I.G. wallpaper," 7 June 2018
Now, our jaws our dropping over another unique Texas retreat for visitors: A shipping container hotel.

— perri ormont blumberg, Southern Living, "You've Got to See This Shipping Container Hotel in Round Top, Texas," 4 June 2018
During their time in the Midwest, the couple bought a small vacation home on Lake Michigan that became a summer retreat for the family.

— bonnie l. cook, Philly.com, "Ingrid G. Daemmrich, 82, a longtime English professor at Drexel University," 1 June 2018
The 17th-century English country house, which has been a royal retreat for more than 300 years, is located about a mile from Windsor Castle.

— sophie dodd, PEOPLE.com, "This Hollywood Actor Played DJ at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Private Reception," 22 May 2018
The overnight campground is a home-away-from-home retreat for hundreds of regulars who park their campers there seasonally.

— chris graves, Cincinnati.com, "Pike County: Death in the foothills," 15 May 2018
The home, which was purchased by George III in 1792 for his wife Queen Charlotte, features a stunning garden, and has served as a retreat for the royal family for over 300 years.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Royal-Themed Trip to Windsor," 14 May 2018
The deal represents a big retreat for Masayoshi Son, boss of SoftBank, which owns 85% of Sprint.

— The Economist, "T-Mobile and Sprint chivvy regulators to bless their merger," 3 May 2018
Chalet Martin in Gryon, Switzerland, is a rustic retreat with a few characteristic private rooms (including a tent with a bed) and stunning mountain views.

— rick steves, miamiherald, "Think you're too old for hostels? If you're alive, you're young enough to hostel | Miami Herald," 3 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

retreat Synonyms

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

retreat

verb

Definition of retreat

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

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retreater

noun

See retreat defined for English-language learners

Examples 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

The wounded man retreated to his tent and was later taken to Harborview Medical Center.

— tan vinh, The Seattle Times, "Man shot in leg at Seattle tent encampment," 28 May 2018
When police and Sandinista Youth descended, demonstrators retreated to the cathedral and left that night only after clergy negotiated their safe passage.

— christopher sherman, Fox News, "In Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega bends to Catholic Church," 17 May 2018
Kalkbrenner retreated to a backstage room and got to work rolling a joint of Granddaddy Purple and mentholated tobacco.

— nick paumgarten, The New Yorker, "The Kush That Keeps Paul Kalkbrenner Up All Night," 14 May 2018
Right fielder Stephen Piscotty retreated to the warning track and camped under it, his back almost touching the right field wall.

— david barron, Houston Chronicle, "Story behind Astros fan ejected from game for interference," 29 Apr. 2018
The officials retreated to the penalty box and conducted a review.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Controversial No-Goal Call Plays Pivotal Role as Capitals Draw Even With Penguins," 29 Apr. 2018
Predinner patrons at the hotel’s Hemingway Bar retreated to the basement.

— eric konigsberg, Town & Country, "Old School Jewelry Heists Are on the Rise—And Celebrities Are the Target," 12 Apr. 2018
In the 11th inning Tuesday, the center fielder retreated to the fence more than 400 feet from home plate at Marlins Park, leaped and snatched away Mookie Betts’ bid for a home run.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Youthful Marlins aim to turn fighting spirit into more wins," 4 Apr. 2018
For nearly 60 years, a glamorous, often recurring cast of jet setters that includes royals, musicians, and moguls have retreated to this 1400-acre private island in the Caribbean for equal parts peace and privacy.

— dan q. dao, GQ, "Your Guide to Mustique, the Private Caribbean Island Where You Can Stay in David Bowie's Former Villa," 25 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of retreat

15th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

retreat Synonyms

Synonyms

back away, drop back, fall back, pull out, recede, retire, withdraw;

Antonyms

advance;

Near Antonyms

beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave;

Related Words

flee, fly;

flinch, recoil, shrink;

chicken (out);

bow out;

back down, backpedal, backtrack, climb down;

detach, disengage, disentangle, pull away;

abandon, depart, evacuate, go, leave, quit, vacate;

Phrases

give ground, give way, lose ground;

Synonym Discussion of 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

RETREAT Defined for English Language Learners

retreat

noun

Definition 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

verb

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

retreat

noun re·treat \ ri-ˈtrēt \

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

retreat

verb

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

noun re·treat

legal Definition of retreat

: 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.

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