Synonyms for retreat

noun

1. The act of retreating

   retirement, removal, evacuation, departure, escape, withdrawal, drawing back, reversal, retrogression, backing out, flight, recession, retraction, going, running away, eluding, evasion, avoidance, recoil.

   Antonyms advance*, progress, progression.

2. A place to which one retreats

   seclusion, solitude, privacy, shelter, refuge, asylum, safe place, defense, sanctuary, security, cover, ark, harbor, port, haven, place of concealment, hiding place, hideaway*, resort, haunt, habitat, hermitage, cell, convent, cloister; see also refuge 1.

   Antonyms front*, exposed position, van. See syn. study at shelter.shelter.

beat a retreat

verb

1. To retire

   recede, withdraw, draw back, retrograde, back out, retract, leave, go, depart, recoil, shrink, quail, run, reel, start back, pull back, reverse, seclude oneself, keep aloof, keep apart, hide, separate from, regress, resign, relinquish, lay down, hand over, sequester oneself, retrocede, backtrack, back off, back down, chicken out*.

   Antonyms stay*, continue, advance.

2. In battle, to execute a forced retirement

   evacuate, abandon, leave, withdraw, back out, vacate the position, retire, remove, pull out, march out, disengage, turn back, fall back, draw back, move back, give ground, move behind, beat a retreat, back down, escape, decamp, fly, run away, turn tail, be routed, give way, flee, flee in disorder, execute a strategic withdrawal, shorten one's lines, avoid, evade, elude.

   Antonyms attack*, progress, drive forward.