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1. Dictionary

   retreat

   /rɪˈtriːt/

   verb

   • 1. (of an army) withdraw from enemy forces as a result of their superior power or after a defeat: "the French retreated in disarray" Similar withdrawretiredraw backpull backpull outfall backgive waygive groundrecoilfleetake flightbeat a retreatbeat a hasty retreatrun awayrun offmake a run for itrun for itmake offtake offtake to one's heelsmake a break for itboltmake a quick exitclear outmake one's getawayescapehead for the hillsinformal:beat itvamooseskedaddlesplitcut and runshow a clean pair of heelsturn tailscramhook itfly the coopskip offdo a fadedo a runnerscarperdo a bunkleg itlight outbug outcut outpeel outtake a powderskiddoogo throughshoot througharchaic:flylevantOpposite advancedig in
   • ▪ move back or withdraw: "it becomes so hot that the lizards retreat into the shade" Similar go outebbrecedeflow outfallgo downOpposite come in
   • ▪ withdraw to a quiet or secluded place: "after the funeral he retreated to Scotland"
   • ▪ change one's mind or plans as a result of criticism or difficulty: "his proposals were clearly unreasonable and he was forced to retreat" Similar change one's decisionchange one's mindchange one's attitudechange one's plansback downclimb downdo a U-turnbacktrackback-pedalrow backretractreconsidereat one's wordseat humble piegive inconcede defeatshift one's grounddo an about-turn
   • ▪ (of shares) decline in value: "the company reported healthy figures but the shares retreated"
   • ▪ move (a piece) back from a forward or threatened position on the board.

   noun

   • 1. an act of moving back or withdrawing: "a speedy retreat" Similar withdrawalpulling backflightrare:katabasisOpposite advance
   • ▪ an act of changing one's mind or plans as a result of criticism or difficulty: "the trade unions made a retreat from their earlier position" Similar climbdownbackdownretractionconcessionabout-faceU-turnrowbackabout-turn
   • 2. a signal for a military force to withdraw: "the bugle sounded a retreat"
   • ▪ a military musical ceremony carried out at sunset, originating in the playing of drums and bugles to tell soldiers to return to camp for the night.
   • 3. a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax: "their country retreat in Ireland" Similar refugehavenresortasylumsanctuarysanctum sanctorumhideawayhideouthiding placecottagedachasheltercabindenlairnestinformal:hidey-hole
   • ▪ a period or place of seclusion for the purposes of prayer and meditation: "the bishop is away on his annual retreat" Similar seclusionwithdrawalretirementsolitudeisolationhidingprivacysanctuaryrare:sequestrationreclusion
   • 4. a decline in the value of shares: "a gloomy stock market forecast sent share prices into a rapid retreat"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French retret (noun), retraiter (verb), from Latin retrahere ‘pull back’ (see retract).

   Scrabble Points: 7

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retreatRetreat Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retreat

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   The meaning of RETREAT is an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable. How to use retreat in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Retreat.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishRETREAT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   RETREAT definition: 1. to go away from a place or person in order to escape from fighting or danger: 2. to go to a…. Learn more.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryRETREAT | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   to go away from a place or person in order to escape from fighting or danger: Attacks by enemy aircraft forced the tanks to retreat (from the city). When she came toward me shouting, I retreated (behind my desk). Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples. to go backward.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retreatRetreat - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retreat

   The noun retreat means a place you can go to be alone, to get away from it all. A spot under a shady tree might be your favorite retreat from the sun, or your bedroom in the basement may serve as a retreat from your siblings.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishretreat noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   from danger/defeat. [countable, usually singular, uncountable] a movement away from a place or an enemy because of danger or defeat. Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow. The army was in full retreat (= retreating very quickly).

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › retreatRETREAT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retreat

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   noun. the forced or strategic withdrawal of an army or an armed force before an enemy, or the withdrawing of a naval force from action. Antonyms: advance. the act of withdrawing, as into safety or privacy; retirement; seclusion. Synonyms: withdrawal, departure.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishRETREAT definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   A retreat is a quiet, isolated place that you go to in order to rest or to do things in private.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishretreat verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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   retreat. verb. /rɪˈtrit/ Verb Forms. from danger/defeat. [intransitive] to move away from a place or an enemy because you are in danger or because you have been defeated The army was forced to retreat after suffering heavy losses. We retreated back down the mountain. They retreated to a safe distance from the fighting. opposite advance.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishMeaning of retreat – Learner’s Dictionary - Cambridge Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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    RETREAT definition: 1. When soldiers retreat, they move away from the enemy, especially to avoid fighting: 2. to go…. Learn more.

11. www.yourdictionary.com › retreatRetreat Definition & Meaning - YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › retreat

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    A going back or backward; withdrawal in the face of opposition or from a dangerous or unpleasant situation. Withdrawal to a safe or private place. The process of receding from a position or of becoming smaller. Glaciers in retreat from positions of advancement.