retreat

/rɪˈtrit/
verb
  1. To move back or withdraw from a dangerous or difficult situation, especially in a military context.
    • The army retreated to a safer position behind the river.
    • Seeing the bear, the hikers decided to retreat slowly.
    • The soldiers had to retreat when the enemy advanced.
  2. To move away from a place or person to avoid something unpleasant or to find privacy.
    • After the argument, she retreated to her room to calm down.
    • He retreated from the noisy party and sat in the garden.
    • The cat retreated under the bed when the dog came in.
  3. To change one's mind or position on a decision or opinion, often due to pressure or new information.
    • The company retreated from its proposed price increase after customer complaints.
    • She retreated from her plan to quit her job after talking to her mentor.
    • The politician retreated from his earlier statement after public criticism.
Antonyms
noun
  1. An act of moving back or withdrawing from a dangerous or difficult situation.
    • The hikers made a quick retreat as the storm approached.
    • The general ordered a retreat when the enemy surrounded them.
    • The team's retreat from the competition was unexpected.
  2. A quiet, private place where someone goes to rest, relax, or be alone.
    • She has a small retreat in her garden where she reads.
    • They rented a cabin in the mountains as a weekend retreat.
    • The spa offers a peaceful retreat from city life.
  3. A period of time spent away from normal life for rest, study, or religious reflection.
    • The yoga retreat lasted for a week and helped her relax.
    • The church organized a retreat for young members.
    • He attended a meditation retreat to clear his mind.
  4. A signal for withdrawal, especially a military bugle call at the end of the day.
    • The sound of retreat echoed across the camp.
    • The soldiers stood at attention during the retreat ceremony.
    • The bugler played retreat at sunset.
Antonyms