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to retreat

to retreat

235 4.0
To move back from a place or plan to avoid danger
  • verb
  • /rɪˈtriːt/
translation icon : retroceder
  • As the situation worsened, the troops were ordered to retreat from the battlefield.
  • forced to retreat
  • retreat from a position
  • advance and retreat

She ends up having to retreat, though not surrender.

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Examples

  • So the enemy would do well to retreat back into the circle.

  • The English army, meanwhile, had retreated to Castle La Roque.

  • We will not break, we will not retreat, we will not give up.

  • I can do what everyone else is doing and retreat and wait it out.

  • We are now retreating in all of those areas.

  • The Southern army facing Chattanooga is ordered to retreat.

  • At a time of stress, he'd retreat to the familiar.

  • But since her mother's death the previous month, she had retreated to her bedroom.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • After a brief clash, the entire force retreats back towards the Roman camp.

  • Where's Silver? Silver had retreated to the street, and Rachel had to go retrieve her.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

to leave
vsto retreat
1.0

To go away from a place, person, or group

adds the idea of moving back specifically to avoid danger, difficulty, or for privacy
to go away
vsto retreat
709 1.0

To leave a place or person and go somewhere else

includes that plain departure but emphasises avoidance or private withdrawal reasons
to walk away
vsto retreat
632 3.5

Leave a person, place, or situation without taking part anymore

can be deliberate too but often stresses avoidance of danger or seeking privacy
to withdraw
vsto retreat
466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

adds the sense of moving back specifically to avoid danger or for privacy
to back off
vsto retreat
  • Informal
356 2.8

Move away from someone, or stop taking part in something

often implies leaving specifically to avoid danger, trouble, or for privacy
to evacuate
vsto retreat
344 4.1

To move people out of a place because it is dangerous, for example during a fire

is narrower, focusing on official safety moves rather than general withdrawal reasons
to move back
vsto retreat
283 1.7

To step away to an earlier place

also covers leaving situations or commitments for safety or privacy reasons
to pull out
vsto retreat
206 3.4

To stop being involved in an activity or agreement

includes that choice but also leaving places to avoid danger or for privacy
to get away
vsto retreat
165 3.0

To escape from people who are holding you, often by force

is broader and may be nonsecret or quiet withdrawal for privacy or safety
to pull back
vsto retreat
162 3.4

To move yourself and things backward from a place, person, or situation

is broader and includes leaving for safety, privacy, or to avoid difficulty
to escape from
vsto retreat
137 2.7

To get away from a person, place, or situation that causes trouble

overlaps only in the danger aspect, but key also includes privacy or avoiding difficulty
to exit
vsto retreat
125 1.0

To go out of a place or leave a situation

is more focused on leaving for safety, privacy, or to avoid trouble
to pull away
vsto retreat
86 3.5

To move away from people or a place to create space

is broader and includes leaving for safety, privacy, or to avoid difficulty
to back out
vsto retreat
  • Informal
79 3.4

Decide not to do something you promised to do

covers both cancelling commitments and physically moving away to avoid danger
to back away
vsto retreat
59 3.9

Stop supporting or taking part in a plan because you feel unsure

includes leaving for safety or privacy as well as stepping back from commitments
to fall back
vsto retreat
57 3.7

To move back to a safer place when facing danger

is similar but applies to places, situations, or promises generally
to retire
vsto retreat
53 3.8

Move away from people to a quieter place

focuses on withdrawing to avoid danger, difficulty or for privacy
to recede
vsto retreat
29 4.8

To move back or become less strong

focuses more on active leaving to avoid danger or for privacy rather than fading
to evacuate the area
vsto retreat
6 4.1

Leave a place because it is dangerous or officials tell you to

matches the safety sense but also covers voluntary moves for privacy or difficulty avoidance
to draw back
vsto retreat
4 4.1

To move backwards away from something because of fear or surprise

is more general, including planned leaving or seeking privacy as reasons
to rush away
vsto retreat
2 2.5

Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry

often involves moving away specifically to avoid danger or for privacy, not just hurry
to drop off
vsto retreat
1 4.0

To move back from a place or position, often to a safer spot

is more active and deliberate often to avoid danger or seek privacy
to crawfish
vsto retreat
  • Informal
1 9.9

To back out of a promise or agreement

is broader, applying also to leaving places or seeking privacy
to beat a retreat
vsto retreat
1 6.0

To leave a place quickly to avoid danger or trouble

is similar but covers both quick and slow moves away, not only haste
to sidle away
vsto retreat
1 7.7

To move quietly to the side and away so people do not notice you

can be quiet too but also includes clear withdrawals for safety or to stop commitment
to crawfish out
vsto retreat
  • Informal
9.7

To try to avoid doing something you promised or agreed to do

captures the neutral act of moving away to avoid danger or for privacy
to backstep
vsto retreat
7.1

Take back a promise or support you gave

is wider, covering both physical movement and withdrawing from commitments
to fold one's tent
vsto retreat
8.8

To stop trying and leave a situation quietly

is similar but also covers moving back to avoid danger or for private reasons

Antonyms

417 3.4

To help something move forward or become better

Idioms

7 4.5

Moving back from a place or position after a defeat

To leave a place quickly to avoid danger or trouble

Phrasal Verbs

To move back from a place or activity to avoid danger and trouble

How Withdrawn

to evacuate
344 4.1
to withdraw
466 2.8
to retreat
235 4.0
to pull back
162 3.4
to step back
101 3.6

Surface Forms

retreat infinitive
retreated past
retreated past participle
retreating present participle
retreats third person singular

Morphology

retreat = treat (opaque) = re + treat

Although orthographically analyzable as 're' + 'treat', the sense 'withdraw' is not predictable from the modern verb 'treat' and the productive prefix 're-' for typical learners.

Etymology

Retreat comes from the parts re- 'back' and tract 'to pull', as in tractor. So to retreat is to 'pull back', which is why it means to move back or withdraw from a place or situation.