retreat

(n) (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
(n) a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
(n) (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
(n) (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset
(n) an area where you can be alone hideaway,
(n) withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation
- the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity
retirement,
(n) the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)

(v) pull back or move away or backward
- The enemy withdrew
- The limo pulled away from the curb
draw back, move back, pull away, pull back, recede, withdraw, retire,
(v) move away, as for privacy
- The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer
(v) move back
- The glacier retrogrades
retrograde,
(v) make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
- We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
- He backed out of his earlier promise
- The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns
back away, crawfish, crawfish out, pull in one's horns, back out, pull back, withdraw,

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

advance march on move on progress go on pass on forward motion onward motion advancement procession progression

retread

retreatant retreated