Retreat
noun
A period of time where you stay somewhere, often for relaxation or spiritual revitalization.
They went on a spiritual retreat in the mountains.
Often appears as...
- spiritual retreat
- weekend retreat
verb
To move back or withdraw, often because of danger or fear.
The army had to retreat after the heavy attack.
Often appears as...
- retreat from
- military retreat
noun
The military action of withdrawing from the enemy.
The general ordered a strategic retreat.
Often appears as...
- order a retreat
- beat a retreat
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To change your position or decision because of pressure.
The government had to retreat on its policy after public opposition.
Often appears as...
- retreat from a position
- retreat on a decision
noun
A place where you can go to be away from others.
The poet's retreat was a tiny cabin in the woods.
Often appears as...
- mountain retreat
- countryside retreat
noun
A decrease in the value or amount of something.
There was a slight retreat in the stock market today.
Often appears as...
- market retreat
- economic retreat
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
noun
A period of time where you stay somewhere, often for relaxation or spiritual revitalization.
They went on a spiritual retreat in the mountains.
Often appears as...
- spiritual retreat
- weekend retreat
verb
To move back or withdraw, often because of danger or fear.
The army had to retreat after the heavy attack.
Often appears as...
- retreat from
- military retreat
noun
The military action of withdrawing from the enemy.
The general ordered a strategic retreat.
Often appears as...
- order a retreat
- beat a retreat
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To change your position or decision because of pressure.
The government had to retreat on its policy after public opposition.
Often appears as...
- retreat from a position
- retreat on a decision
noun
A place where you can go to be away from others.
The poet's retreat was a tiny cabin in the woods.
Often appears as...
- mountain retreat
- countryside retreat
noun
A decrease in the value or amount of something.
There was a slight retreat in the stock market today.
Often appears as...
- market retreat
- economic retreat
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 6
Pro Tip 1/2Positive Connotation
Often carries a sense of healing or positivity, suggesting a beneficial time away from everyday life.
She returned from the retreat feeling rejuvenated.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Just Physical
Can refer to a mental or spiritual state, not just a physical place.
The meditation provided a mental retreat from stress.
Compare with
isolatorprivacyrefugeretiresanctuaryseclusionsurrenderwithdrawal
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Video examples
Reintroducing The...
exactly what we want you've seen earlier today the cub in that pen she's on the point of release so she's really often not really interested in humans which is great retreats when she's grabbed some food and she's just wild so you've got to respect them for the world always keep that respect because if you
Video examples
What’s so great about...
and the glaciers that cloaked the Earth's surface began their slow retreat. These immense ice sheets carved out a series of basins. Those basins filled with water as the ice began to melt, creating the world's largest area of freshwater lakes. Over time, channels developed between these basins,
Video examples
A digital reimagining of...
Here's their retreat. Historians have not been previously able to figure out what he could and couldn't see. I think it helps explain his decision. Why? Because from his point of view, the federals were very weak. He was attacking at the logical place, but without full knowledge,
Video examples
A simple way to break a...
Yet I'd sit on these silent retreats, sweating through T-shirts in the middle of winter. I'd take naps every chance I got because it was really hard work. Actually, it was exhausting. The instruction was simple enough but I was missing something really important.
Video examples
The real meaning of soul...
something in them seems to have shriveled seems to have turned in on itself as though in retreat they hunker down and build a wall around themselves sometimes even a physical wall of steel or concrete afraid of what's beyond as the unknown
Video examples
Why is being scared so...
while loathing the stomach-drop sensation of a steep roller coaster, or why some squeal with delight inside a haunted house, but retreat in terror if taken to an actual cemetery. Fear brings more than just a fun, natural high.
Video examples
Top 5 Animal Adaptations...
as the tide retreats it exposes mud flaps sunlight hits the rich silt and tiny plants and animals flourish they're all food for a mudskipper but life on
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
as the tide retreats it exposes mud flaps sunlight hits the rich silt and tiny plants and animals flourish there all food for a mudskipper but life on
Video examples
Giant Centipede PIPE...
the centipede advances on the iguana the iguana retreats the iguana scoots the centipede crawls scoot crawl scoot crawl
Video examples
Simba Under Attack PIPE ...
Simba wisely retreats from the skirmish and re-marks his territory.
Video examples
Reintroducing The...
exactly what we want you've seen earlier today the cub in that pen she's on the point of release so she's really often not really interested in humans which is great retreats when she's grabbed some food and she's just wild so you've got to respect them for the world always keep that respect because if you
Video examples
What’s so great about...
and the glaciers that cloaked the Earth's surface began their slow retreat. These immense ice sheets carved out a series of basins. Those basins filled with water as the ice began to melt, creating the world's largest area of freshwater lakes. Over time, channels developed between these basins,
Video examples
A digital reimagining of...
Here's their retreat. Historians have not been previously able to figure out what he could and couldn't see. I think it helps explain his decision. Why? Because from his point of view, the federals were very weak. He was attacking at the logical place, but without full knowledge,
Video examples
A simple way to break a...
Yet I'd sit on these silent retreats, sweating through T-shirts in the middle of winter. I'd take naps every chance I got because it was really hard work. Actually, it was exhausting. The instruction was simple enough but I was missing something really important.
Video examples
The real meaning of soul...
something in them seems to have shriveled seems to have turned in on itself as though in retreat they hunker down and build a wall around themselves sometimes even a physical wall of steel or concrete afraid of what's beyond as the unknown
Video examples
Why is being scared so...
while loathing the stomach-drop sensation of a steep roller coaster, or why some squeal with delight inside a haunted house, but retreat in terror if taken to an actual cemetery. Fear brings more than just a fun, natural high.
Video examples
Top 5 Animal Adaptations...
as the tide retreats it exposes mud flaps sunlight hits the rich silt and tiny plants and animals flourish they're all food for a mudskipper but life on
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
as the tide retreats it exposes mud flaps sunlight hits the rich silt and tiny plants and animals flourish there all food for a mudskipper but life on
Video examples
Giant Centipede PIPE...
the centipede advances on the iguana the iguana retreats the iguana scoots the centipede crawls scoot crawl scoot crawl
Video examples
Simba Under Attack PIPE ...
Simba wisely retreats from the skirmish and re-marks his territory.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Margaret Mahy
New Zealander Author
There are certainly times when my own everyday life seems to retreat so the life of the story can take me over. That is why a writer often needs space and time, so that he or she can abandon ordinary life and 'live' with the characters.
Quote examples
Sam Taylor-Johnson
English Director
I understand what it is to go through emotional trauma and retreat and go into the world of your imagination. I understand how art and music can be a place of safety in a world of reinvention.
Quote examples
Boots Riley
American Musician
I just look at music as a retreat from organizing. It's like a tug-of-war with me. Music can be effective, but it's not any good if there isn't a grass-roots movement going on to support it.
Quote examples
Sixto Rodriguez
American Musician
I don't mind going out to do my shows but I can still retreat back into my own private world, you know? And that is very key.
Quote examples
John Torode
Australian Chef
The most important aspect of a home is that it's a retreat, a place where you can laugh and cry.
Quote examples
Oscar Wilde
Irish Poet
Woman begins by resisting a man's advances and ends by blocking his retreat.
Quote examples
Ngo Dinh Diem
Vietnamese Statesman
Follow me if I advance! Kill me if I retreat! Revenge me if I die!
Quote examples
Joseph Stalin
Georgian Leader
In the Soviet army it takes more courage to retreat than advance.
Quote examples
William Hague
British Politician
The British retreat is over and now the advance will begin.
Quote examples
Kevin McCarthy
American Politician
Peace comes through strength, not through retreat.
Quote examples
Margaret Mahy
New Zealander Author
There are certainly times when my own everyday life seems to retreat so the life of the story can take me over. That is why a writer often needs space and time, so that he or she can abandon ordinary life and 'live' with the characters.
Quote examples
Sam Taylor-Johnson
English Director
I understand what it is to go through emotional trauma and retreat and go into the world of your imagination. I understand how art and music can be a place of safety in a world of reinvention.
Quote examples
Boots Riley
American Musician
I just look at music as a retreat from organizing. It's like a tug-of-war with me. Music can be effective, but it's not any good if there isn't a grass-roots movement going on to support it.
Quote examples
Sixto Rodriguez
American Musician
I don't mind going out to do my shows but I can still retreat back into my own private world, you know? And that is very key.
Quote examples
John Torode
Australian Chef
The most important aspect of a home is that it's a retreat, a place where you can laugh and cry.
Quote examples
Oscar Wilde
Irish Poet
Woman begins by resisting a man's advances and ends by blocking his retreat.
Quote examples
Ngo Dinh Diem
Vietnamese Statesman
Follow me if I advance! Kill me if I retreat! Revenge me if I die!
Quote examples
Joseph Stalin
Georgian Leader
In the Soviet army it takes more courage to retreat than advance.
Quote examples
William Hague
British Politician
The British retreat is over and now the advance will begin.
Quote examples
Kevin McCarthy
American Politician
Peace comes through strength, not through retreat.
Example 1 of 10
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