Retreat Definition
rĭ-trēt
retreated, retreating, retreats
noun
retreats
A going back or backward; withdrawal in the face of opposition or from a dangerous or unpleasant situation.
Webster's New World
Withdrawal to a safe or private place.
Webster's New World
The process of receding from a position or of becoming smaller.
Glaciers in retreat from positions of advancement.
American Heritage
The process of changing or undergoing change in one's thinking or in a position.
A leader's retreat from political radicalism.
American Heritage
A safe, quiet, or secluded place.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
retreated, retreating, retreats
To move backward or away; withdraw or retire.
Retreated to his study.
American Heritage
To withdraw; make a retreat.
Webster's New World
To slope backward.
Webster's New World
To withdraw (a piece), as from a dangerous position.
Webster's New World
To move back from a position of advancement or become smaller.
Land that emerged when the oceans retreated.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- elude
- evade
- avoid
- shorten one's lines
- execute a strategic withdrawal
- flee in disorder
- give-way
- be routed
- turn-tail
- back down
- beat-a-retreat
- move behind
- give ground
- move back
- draw back
idiom
beat a retreat
- to signal for retreat by beating a drum
- to retreat in a hurry
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Retreat
Origin of Retreat
-
Middle English retret from Old French retrait, retret from past participle of retraire, retrere to draw back from Latin retrahere retract
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret (to draw back), from Latin retrahere (retract).
From Wiktionary
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