retreat

1 an act of moving away especially from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable we made a strategic retreat when we realized that we were outnumbered Synonyms of retreat pullback, pullout, recession, retirement, withdrawal Words Related to retreat rout; flinch, recoil, revulsion, shrinking; disengagement, disentanglement Antonyms of retreat advance, advancement

2 something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger her bedroom served as a retreat from the frequent arguing between her parents the abandoned cabin was a welcome retreat from the storm Synonyms of retreat asylum, bolt-hole [chiefly British], harbor, harborage, haven, refuge, shelter, sanctuary, sanctumWords Related to retreat oasis; anchorage, mooring, port; cover, screen; abode, diggings, domicile, dwelling, habitation, house, housing, lodging, lodgment (or lodgement), pad, place, quarters, residence, rest, roof; cloister, closet, covert, den, hermitage, hideaway, hideout, lair; castle, fastness, fort, fortress, palisade, redoubt, stronghold; lean-to, lee, shed, windbreak

1 to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) we retreated to the safety of the cellar at the first sign of the tornado Synonyms of retreat back away, drop back, fall back, pull out, recede, retire, withdraw Words Related to retreat 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 Near Antonyms of retreat beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave Antonyms of retreat advance

2 to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening the untried soldiers retreated in humiliating disarray almost as soon as the enemy's onslaught began Synonyms of retreat bolt, break, bug out, flee, fly, hightail (it), run, run away, run off, skedaddleWords Related to retreat abscond, clear out, decamp, elope, escape, get (away), get out, lam, light out, make off, mizzle [chiefly British], scarper [British], scat, scram, skip (out), skirrNear Antonyms of retreat beard, brave, confront, dare, defy, face; abide, dwell, hang around, linger, remain, stay, stick around, tarry