retreat
noun
the forced or strategic withdrawal of an army or an armed force before an enemy, or the withdrawing of a naval force from action.
retreated
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past participleof retreat.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof retreat.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
retreatnounthe forced or strategic withdrawal of an army or an armed force before an enemy, or the withdrawing of a naval force from action.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The hospital closed and later fell into RSF hands when the army retreated.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
During laboratory observations, individuals consistently retreated into dark spaces beneath rocks whenever they were exposed to illumination.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026
The couple retreated from public life to work on their marriage and raise their three kids.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
Then the unthinkable happened: Buyers showed up in droves as the 10-year quickly retreated to 5.18% by the end of Wednesday’s session.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
The footsteps retreated, then returned with a jangle of keys.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
