What is retreat? Pronunciation and usage in English

retreat means . Learn how to pronounce and use retreat through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of retreat

retreatnoun

/rɪˈtriːt//rɪˈtriːt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "retreat." Here's a detailed guide:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈrit.rē.t/ (Rhymes with "beet retreat")

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. ˈrit – This first syllable sounds like "rit" as in "bit" or "sit." The stress is on this syllable.
  2. rē – This second syllable sounds like "ray" as in "day." Notice the short "e" sound.
  3. t – This third syllable is simply a quick, single "t" sound.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds:

  • ˈ (Stress Mark): This mark indicates that the first syllable is the emphasized syllable.
  • rit: Rhymes with "bit" or "sit"
  • rē: Like "ray"
  • t: A simple "t" sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the first syllable’s "rit" sound. This is often where people stumble.
  • Keep the "e" in "rē" short and crisp. Don’t make it a long "ay" sound.
  • Say it quickly. The word is spoken fairly smoothly.

Resources for hearing it pronounced:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation again?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "retreat"?

Usage and examples with the word retreat in English

Let's break down how to use the word "retreat" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. As a Verb (Movement Backwards)

  • Meaning: To move backward, often away from danger or an opponent. This is the most common understanding of "retreat."
  • Examples:
    • "The soldiers retreated to a more defensible position." (Military context)
    • "She retreated when she heard the thunder." (Moving back for safety)
    • "The crowd retreated as the police began to disperse them."

2. As a Verb (To Withdraw or Step Back - Less Intense than "retreat")

  • Meaning: To withdraw from a discussion, negotiation, or activity. This is often a more polite or strategic withdrawal.
  • Examples:
    • "The negotiator retreated on the salary offer." (Backed away from a demand)
    • "The company retreated from the market after losses." (Stopped operating)
    • "He retreated from the argument when he realized he was wrong." (Stopped arguing)

3. As a Noun (A Place of Withdrawal)

  • Meaning: A place where people go to withdraw, recover, or escape.
  • Examples:
    • "The monks spent a week in retreat at a secluded monastery." (A period of religious contemplation)
    • "She went on a wellness retreat to relax and de-stress." (A vacation focused on health and well-being)
    • "The company held an executive retreat to discuss strategy." (A meeting away from the usual office)

4. As a Noun (A Military Withdrawal or Retreat)

  • Meaning: A planned withdrawal of troops, typically due to overwhelming odds.
  • Example: “The army ordered a strategic retreat.”

Key Nuances and Considerations:

  • Tone: "Retreat" can sound formal or slightly dramatic, especially when used as a verb (meaning moving backward). "Withdraw" is often a softer alternative.
  • Context is Crucial: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To move backward (often from danger) “The deer retreated into the forest.”
Verb To withdraw from something “She retreated from the debate.”
Noun A place of withdrawal/recovery "They attended a yoga retreat."
Noun A military withdrawal “The army ordered a retreat.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "retreat" in? (e.g., writing a story, a conversation, an email?)
  • Can you provide the sentence where you're considering using the word?

Synonyms for the word retreat

Idioms of the word retreat

beat a (hasty) retreat
to go away or back quickly, especially to avoid something unpleasant
  • I decided to beat a hasty retreat.

Practice with vocabulary retreat

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Facing overwhelming opposition, the expedition leader made the difficult decision to ____________ to a safer location.
  2. After a stressful quarter, the CEO scheduled a personal ____________ to a remote cabin for reflection and strategic planning.
  3. The floodwaters slowly began to ____________ from the town, revealing the extent of the damage.
  4. Despite a strong argument, the committee was forced to ____________ that their initial proposal had a significant flaw.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The team found much-needed quietude at their annual mountain ____________. A) outpost B) sanctuary C) retreat D) refuge

  2. The company had to ____________ its controversial marketing campaign following widespread public backlash. A) reconsider B) retract C) retreat D) discontinue

  3. During the negotiations, neither side was willing to ____________ from their initial demands, leading to a stalemate. A) compromise B) yield C) falter D) retreat

  4. Following the severe economic downturn, many international investors began to ____________ their capital from emerging markets. A) withdraw B) allocate C) inject D) divert

  5. For artists seeking profound inspiration, periods of ____________ are often crucial for creative breakthroughs. A) engagement B) collaboration C) solitude D) networking

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The protest organizers decided to pull back their demonstration from the city center to avoid further confrontation. Rewrite using "retreat":
  2. Many professionals find going to a quiet, secluded place beneficial for strategic thinking and personal development. Rewrite using "retreat":
  3. The company's management made a swift retreat from its earlier stance on employee benefits. Rewrite without using "retreat":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. retreat
  2. retreat
  3. recede
  4. concede

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) sanctuary, C) retreat, D) refuge
  2. B) retract, C) retreat, D) discontinue
  3. B) yield, D) retreat
  4. A) withdraw
  5. C) solitude

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. To avoid further confrontation, the protest organizers decided to retreat their demonstration from the city center.
  2. Many professionals find that a quiet, secluded retreat is beneficial for strategic thinking and personal development.
  3. The company's management swiftly reversed its earlier stance on employee benefits.

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