Retreat Definition & Meaning

retreat
noun
  1. (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat; "the disorderly retreat of French troops"
  2. a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
  3. (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
  4. (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset
  5. an area where you can be alone
  6. withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation; "the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity"
  7. the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)
verb
  1. pull back or move away or backward; "The enemy withdrew"; "The limo pulled away from the curb"
  2. move away, as for privacy; "The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer"
  3. move back; "The glacier retrogrades"
  4. make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity; "We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him"; "He backed out of his earlier promise"; "The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns"

Synonyms for retreat

crawfish noun

tiny lobster-like crustaceans usually boiled briefly small freshwater decapod crustacean that resembles a lobster large

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
hideaway noun

a hiding place; usually a remote place used by outlaws an area where you can be alone

♫ Rhymes
recede verb

pull back or move away or backward; "The enemy withdrew

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
retire verb

go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
retirement noun

the state of being retired from one's business or occupation withdrawal from your position or occupation withdrawal for

♫ Rhymes
retrograde adj

moving from east to west on the celestial sphere

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
withdraw verb

pull back or move away or backward; "The enemy withdrew

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms

"Retreat" in song lyrics

See how retreat is used in real songs:

  • "And screams treason at the first sign of retreat"
    7L & Esoteric f/ Count Bass D, J-Live — Rules of Engagament
  • "I'll have you eatin' food through a feedin' tube as you retreat"
    7L & Esoteric f/ Apathy, Vinnie Paz — Speak Now
  • "We got to march on fort, not cave in or retreat"
    Esoteric f/ Kabir — Recognize

Words that rhyme with retreat

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Usage tips for "retreat"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "retreat" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for retreat to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with retreat ↔ Synonyms for retreat 🔬 Words containing retreat

Frequently asked questions

What does retreat mean?
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat; "the disorderly retreat of French troops" a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset an area where you can be alone withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation
What part of speech is retreat?
Retreat is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does retreat have?
Retreat has 11 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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