retreat

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 of retreat

• 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

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

Growing up as a native of Orlando, my family would retreat to the Blue Ridge Mountains and keep cool by tubing down rivers and hiking to elevation. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 June 2026

Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore and Manila were also up, though Hong Kong, Wellington and Jakarta retreated. —Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 3 June 2026

As courts weigh transgender military bans and states restrict gender-affirming care, some corporations retreat from sponsorship while local businesses step up to keep hometown Pride celebrations funded and visible. —Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026

Families will love the spacious suites, while couples can retreat to the more secluded upper-floor rooms with wraparound terraces. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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