Retreat
/rɪˈtriːt/
Definitions
4 meaningsThe act of withdrawing or going back; a strategic withdrawal or a place to which one withdraws for safety or privacy.
/rɪˈtriːt/
The act of withdrawing, especially from a battle or dangerous situation.
The army ordered a strategic retreat to regroup.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing tag and you run away when someone's about to tag you. A retreat is like that, but on a bigger scale. It's about backing off or leaving a place.
👶 For kids: When you're playing hide-and-seek and you go somewhere safe to hide, that's a kind of retreat.
More Examples
The hikers sought retreat from the storm in a mountain cave.
After the market crash, there was a noticeable retreat in investor confidence.
How It's Used
"The soldiers sounded the retreat after the battle was lost."
"The company's retreat from the market was unexpected."
A place affording peace, quiet, and privacy; a place to which one can withdraw for safety or seclusion.
/rɪˈtriːt/
A place of privacy or safety.
The cabin in the woods served as a perfect weekend retreat.
💡 Simply: It's like your own secret hideout, a place where you can escape from everything and relax. Think of a cozy cabin in the woods or a beach where you can relax.
👶 For kids: A retreat is a special place where you can go to have fun, be calm, or relax.
More Examples
The art studio offered a creative retreat for artists.
She found a retreat in her garden where she could relax and read.
How It's Used
"The monastery provided a peaceful retreat for meditation."
"The spa offered a luxurious retreat from the city's hustle."
To withdraw or move back, especially from something dangerous, unpleasant, or difficult.
/rɪˈtriːt/
To withdraw from a battle or dangerous situation.
The army was forced to retreat after sustaining heavy casualties.
💡 Simply: Imagine you see a scary monster! To retreat is just to run away from it. It is about getting back or moving away from something.
👶 For kids: When you run away from something scary, that's retreating!
More Examples
As the storm approached, we retreated indoors.
The company retreated from the project due to the high cost.
How It's Used
"The soldiers retreated when faced with overwhelming enemy forces."
"The company retreated from the market due to heavy losses."
To retire or withdraw to a quiet or secluded place; to go away to be alone.
/rɪˈtriːt/
To move back or withdraw to a quiet or secluded place.
After a long day, she retreated to her cozy apartment.
💡 Simply: It's like when you go to your bedroom or a park to find a quiet place for yourself. To retreat is to move away from a place for privacy.
👶 For kids: When you go to your room to be alone and play, that's kind of like retreating.
More Examples
The artist retreated to his studio to paint.
I always retreat into nature to clear my head.
How It's Used
"She retreated to her room to read."
"He retreated from the pressures of his busy life."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
beat a retreat
To withdraw quickly from a difficult situation.
"When the police arrived, the protesters beat a hasty retreat."
From Old French *retraite* 'withdrawal, retirement', from *retraire* 'to draw back, withdraw', from Latin *retrahere* 'to pull back'.
Used in military contexts as far back as the 14th century.
Memory tip
Think of a soldier retreating from battle; it's about backing away.
Word Origin
"withdrawal"