retreating
rɪˈtritɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of retreating - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

1.
battle tacticsgoing backward, pulling away from a place or situation
  • The troops were retreating after the failed attack.
2.
withdrawalpulling back from a commitment or stance
  • He was retreating from his earlier promises.
receding withdrawing

Noun

movementthe act of moving back from something
  • The retreating of the army was swift and organized.
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Origin of retreating

Latin, re- (again) + trahere (to draw) + -ing (action)

Terms with retreating included in their meaning

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challenge
confront a challenge without retreating
bravery
behave bravely without retreating from challenges
military
act of retreating or pulling back
retreating
moving back or away from a place
defense
maintain position without retreating in a physical space
job or role
change to a similar position without advancing or retreating
retreating
retreat hastily to avoid confrontation
social
retreating from social activities

Examples of retreating in a sentence

  • The general ordered a halt to the retreating units.
  • The retreating army left the city in silence.
  • Her retreating attitude was evident in the negotiations.
  • The retreating of the tide revealed rocks along the shore.
  • The retreating of the troops left the outpost unprotected.

View all translations of retreating

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:en retraite, retraite, ...
  2. German:zurückweichend, Rückzug, ...
  3. Italian:in ritirata, ritirata, ...
  4. Spanish:replegado, retirada, ...
  5. Portuguese:em retirada, recuo, ...
  6. Chinese:撤退的, 后退, ...
  7. Japanese:退却する, 後退, ...
  8. Arabic:مُنْسَحِب, تَرَاجُع, ...
  9. Hebrew:נָסוֹג, נְסִיגָה, ...
  10. Russian:отступающий, отступление, ...
  11. Ukrainian:відступаючий, відступ, ...
  12. Hindi:पलायनरत, पीछे हटना, ...
retreat
rɪˈtrit

Definition of retreat - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

intr.
1.
withdrawalmove back from a position or place
  • The army decided to retreat from the battlefield.
recede retire
2.
lifestylegive up a plan or way of life
  • They had to retreat from their ambitious project.
backtrack recede withdraw

Noun

1.
withdrawalact of moving back from danger
  • The army's retreat was swift and strategic.
pullback recession withdrawal
2.
seclusionquiet place for rest or privacy
  • She found peace at the mountain retreat.
haven hideaway sanctuary
3.
contemplationperiod of meditation or religious study
  • He attended a spiritual retreat last summer.
4.
militaryRareUKceremony for lowering the flagRareUK
  • The retreat ceremony was held at sunset.
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Images of retreat

  • retreat: quiet place for rest or privacy
    quiet place for rest or privacy

Expressions with retreat

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leave quickly to avoid something
When the rain started, we beat a hasty retreat to the car.
withdraw from social interactions
She tends to retreat into her shell when she's feeling overwhelmed.
leave quickly due to danger or threat
When the storm hit, we beat a retreat.
leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger
He made his retreat before anyone noticed him.
indicate a strategic withdrawal
The CEO decided to sound the retreat from the failing market.
withdraw mentally to focus on personal thoughts
During stressful times, she retreats inside herself.

Origin of retreat

Latin, re- (back) + trahere (to draw)

Examples of retreat in a sentence

  • The hikers decided to retreat from the storm.
  • After much debate, they decided to retreat from their strict diet.
  • The company had to retreat from its expansion plans.
  • She retreats to her garden to find peace.
  • They retreat to the mountains for solitude.
  • Scientists monitor how rapidly the ice sheets retreat.

View all translations of retreat

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:se retirer, repli, ...
  2. German:zurückziehen, Rückzug, ...
  3. Italian:ritirarsi, ritirata, ...
  4. Spanish:retirarse, retirada, ...
  5. Portuguese:recuar, retirada, ...
  6. Chinese:撤退, 隐居地, ...
  7. Japanese:撤退する, 撤退, ...
  8. Arabic:اِنْسَحَبَ, اِنسِحاب, ...
  9. Hebrew:לָסֶגֶת, נְסִיגָה, ...
  10. Russian:отступить, отступление, ...
  11. Ukrainian:відступати, відступ, ...
  12. Hindi:पीछे हटना, वापसी, ...
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