military retreat
Ordered troop withdrawal
A military retreat is an organized withdrawal of forces from enemy engagement or an untenable position.
Unlike a rout, a retreat maintains discipline and structure: The general ordered a strategic retreat to regroup.
The term also names a bugle call signaling the end of the duty day, and a period of withdrawal for rest or reflection: The officers attended a weekend retreat.
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- fall backWithdraw from advance
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- evacuationRemoval from danger
- rear guardTroops covering a retreat
surrender · white flag · defeat · fleeing · cut and run · rout · exodus · tactical · bunker · trenches · soldiers · command · strategic · regroup · battle lines · abandon · fortress · battlefield
military retreatadvance
Move or progress forward
forward march · push forward · charge · progression · approach
military retreatvictory
Defeating an opponent
conquest · triumph · breakthrough · occupation · territorial expansion
military, retreat, militia, militant, militarism, militaristic, militarize, militarized, militarization