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 pullback, pullout, recession, retirement, withdrawal Related Words rout; flinch, recoil, revulsion, shrinking; disengagement, disentanglement Antonyms 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 asylum, bolt-hole [chiefly British], harbor, harborage, haven, refuge, shelter, sanctuary, sanctumRelated Words 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 back away, drop back, fall back, pull out, recede, retire, withdraw 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 Near Antonyms beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave Antonyms 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 bolt, break, bug out, flee, fly, hightail (it), run, run away, run off, skedaddleRelated Words 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 beard, brave, confront, dare, defy, face; abide, dwell, hang around, linger, remain, stay, stick around, tarry