She retreated hastily back up the stairs.
Synonyms and examplesreverseThe road ahead was blocked by a tree so I had to reverse.
backI backed into the drive.
back upI backed up into an empty parking space.
pull backUN peacekeepers have pulled back from the border.
withdrawThe British army withdrew from Dunkirk in 1940.
Antonym and exampleadvanceThe rebels advanced on the capital.
Go to the thesaurus article about these synonyms and antonyms ofretreat.
See alsobackwardsmainlyUK
in reverse
the wrong way around
back to front
backward
retrograde
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Something that is facing backwards is facingin the opposite to a forward direction.Backwardcan be used to describe the direction that is opposite to the one you are facing. It can also describe something that is not advanced. If yougo backwards, you move in the opposite to a forwards direction.