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Retreat vs Climbdown - What's the difference?

retreat | climbdown |

As nouns the difference between retreat and climbdown

is that retreat is the act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant while climbdown is a retreat or withdrawal from an earlier position or opinion; a backdown.

As a verb retreat

is to withdraw military forces.

retreat

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
  • * Shakespeare
    • In a retreat he outruns any lackey.
  • The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
  • A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.
  • * L'Estrange
    • He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no cost to make a delicious retreat .
  • * Dryden
    • That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat / From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat.
  • A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude.
  • A period of meditation, prayer or study.
  • Withdrawal by military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack.
  • A signal for a military withdrawal.
  • A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base.
  • A military ceremony to lower the flag.
  • (chess) The move of a piece from a threatened position.

    • See also

    * religious retreat

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To withdraw military forces.

    • Anagrams

    * *

    climbdown

    English

    Alternative forms

    * climb-down

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A retreat or withdrawal from an earlier position or opinion; a backdown.
    • Thursday's court appearance as he waited for his case to be heard was a humiliating climbdown for the flamboyant Texan, who sports the clipped mustache and Saville Row style of English aristocracy. — Texas cricket mogul pleads not guilty to fraud by Kate Murphy, The Age, June 26 2009

    Anagrams

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