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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   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 towards me shouting, I retreated (behind my desk ). Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples. to go backwards. reverse The road ahead was blocked by a tree so I had to reverse.

3. 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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   10 meanings: 1. military to withdraw or retire in the face of or from action with an enemy, either due to defeat or in order to.... Click for more definitions.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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

6. 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. In the military sense, the noun retreat means the withdrawal of troops.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retreat

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   Retreat definition: the forced or strategic withdrawal of an army or an armed force before an enemy, or the withdrawing of a naval force from action.. See examples of RETREAT used in a sentence.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   noun. /rɪˈtriːt/ Idioms. 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). to sound the retreat (= to give a loud signal for an army to move away) Collocations War and peace.

9. www.thefreedictionary.com › retreatRetreat - definition of retreat by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › retreat

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   n. 1. a. The act or process of moving back or away, especially from something hazardous, formidable, or unpleasant: made a retreat from hectic city life to the country. b. Withdrawal of a military force from a dangerous position or from an enemy attack. c.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishRETREAT | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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    a move away, especially to a place or situation that is safer or quieter: He saw the dog coming towards him and beat a hasty retreat (= moved quickly away). retreat noun (MILITARY) a move back by soldiers or an army, especially to avoid fighting: a strategic retreat. retreat noun (PLACE) a quiet place where you can go to rest or be alone:

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

    www.yourdictionary.com › retreat

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    rĭ-trēt. 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.