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Spell Bee Word: Retreat

Retreat (verb): to move back or away, especially from danger. As a noun, a retreat is also a quiet place to rest.


What does retreat mean?

Word: Retreat

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: Retreat means to move back or away, especially from danger. As a noun, a retreat is also a quiet place to rest.

Synonyms: withdraw, back away

How do you spell retreat?

Syllables: re - treat

Tricky part: The long e sound is spelt ea, as in eat and beat. Students often write ee or ie.

Watch out for: retreet, retriet, retrete

Memory tip: The tide retreats from the beach, and the e and a of beach sit side by side in retreat too.

Retreat in a sentence

Example 1: The climbers had to retreat when the snowstorm began.

Example 2: A tortoise retreats into its shell when it senses danger.

Example 3: The waves retreated, leaving shells on the wet sand.

Fun Fact

Beating Retreat is a military music ceremony held each summer on Horse Guards Parade in London.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Connection

Choose the antonym of the word: retreat

a) hide
b) escape
c) advance
d) return

Show answer

c) advance. To advance is to move forward; to retreat is to move back.

Spell-o-Spell

Choose the correctly spelt word:

a) sudenly
b) retreat
c) advanse
d) repete

Show answer

b) retreat. Repeat is spelt with ea, advance ends in ce and suddenly has a double d; retreat is right.

Word Cookie

Find the extra letter in the word:

rettreat

a) a
b) e
c) r
d) t

Show answer

d) t. Only one t comes after re; the other t ends the word.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the dog began to bark, the cat retreated under the bed. The cat ____.

a) jumped onto the dog
b) ran at the dog
c) began to purr loudly
d) went to a safer spot

Show answer

d) went to a safer spot

2. A writer goes on a retreat in the hills. She is most likely looking for ____.

a) peace and quiet to write
b) a loud party with friends
c) a busy market to shop in
d) a crowded beach holiday

Show answer

a) peace and quiet to write

Associated Words

Words that end in -eat: threat, treat, wheat

Related words on the Spell Bee lists: withdraw

More words from this list

surgeon, wholesome, baton, cupboard, empress, haddock, maid, petticoat

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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