retreat

Meanings

• (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
  • "the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity"
• the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)
• pull back or move away or backward
• move away, as for privacy
  • "The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer"
• move back
• make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity

Synonyms

back away, back out, crawfish, crawfish out, draw back, hideaway, move back, pull away, pull back, pull in one's horns, recede, retire, retirement, retrograde, withdraw