retreat
rih-TREET
Retreat (noun) means the act of pulling back from danger, especially a military withdrawal. Example: “Rain and mud forced the weary regiment into a hasty retreat.”
noun
1
The act of pulling back from danger, especially a military withdrawal.
"Rain and mud forced the weary regiment into a hasty retreat."
"The army sounded the retreat as enemy forces closed in."
"The soldiers began an orderly retreat under heavy fire."
2
A quiet, peaceful place, or a period spent away from ordinary life for rest or reflection.
"The cabin by the lake is my favourite retreat when work gets too busy."
"They booked a weekend retreat in the mountains."
"She went on a silent meditation retreat to clear her head."
verb
1
To pull back or withdraw from a position, especially in the face of danger or difficulty.
"The hikers retreated down the path when the storm clouds rolled in."
"The troops retreated to higher ground."
"He retreated into silence whenever the topic came up."
How to use retreat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPulling back from danger or difficulty, or a peaceful getaway for rest and reflection.
Common pairings
a hasty retreat
a weekend retreat
retreat into silence
beat a retreat
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like retreat.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- retreats
- Third person singular
- retreats
- Past tense
- retreated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rain and mud forced the weary regiment into a hasty _____.
Etymology
From Old French retret, ultimately from Latin retrahere, "to draw back" — a doublet of "retract."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for retreat
See all rhymes for retreat →Frequently asked questions
What does “retreat” mean?
The word “retreat” means the act of pulling back from danger, especially a military withdrawal. In plain terms, pulling back from danger or difficulty, or a peaceful getaway for rest and reflection.
How do you pronounce “retreat”?
“Retreat” is pronounced rih-TREET (/ɹɪˈtɹiːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “retreat” in a sentence?
Here is “retreat” used in a sentence: “The army sounded the retreat as enemy forces closed in.”
What is another word for “retreat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “retreat” include back away, back down, balk, beat a retreat, bug out and crawfish.
What is the opposite of “retreat”?
The opposite of “retreat” — its antonyms — are advance, charge, gain ground, forge ahead and lunge.
What part of speech is “retreat”?
Depending on how it is used, “retreat” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “retreat” come from?
The word “retreat” comes from Latin. From Old French retret, ultimately from Latin retrahere, "to draw back" — a doublet of "retract.".
Is “retreat” a common word?
“Retreat” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between retreat and withdrawal?
A retreat is the act of pulling back from danger, especially a hurried or forced military move away from the enemy. A withdrawal is a broader, often more orderly or planned removal of forces, so a retreat tends to imply pressure or defeat while a withdrawal can be strategic and calm.
What is the difference between retreat and advance?
Retreat means to move backward, away from danger or an opponent, while advance means to move forward toward a goal or enemy. They are direct opposites in military and everyday use.
When should you use retreat to mean a peaceful place?
Use retreat for a quiet, restful location or a set-aside period away from ordinary life, as in 'a mountain retreat' or 'a weekend meditation retreat.' In this sense it is positive and calming, unlike the military meaning of pulling back from danger.
Is retreat a noun or a verb?
Retreat works as both. As a noun it names a withdrawal or a peaceful place, as in 'a hasty retreat' or 'a spa retreat.' As a verb it means to move back or seek shelter, as in 'the troops retreated.'
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include retreat:
