retreated
v. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɹiˈtɹitəd// UK //ɹɪtɹˈiːtɪd// re·treat·ed
v. moved back or away from a place, often because it was dangerous or difficult. You use this when someone decides to stop fighting or leaves a social situation to be alone.
v. withdrew from a position or place, typically in response to a threat or to seek privacy. Past tense and past participle of 'retreat'.
The army retreated after losing the battle.
As the tide came in, the children retreated to the higher part of the beach to keep their towels dry.
After the heated debate in the boardroom, the CEO retreated to her private office to reconsider the merger proposal in silence.
Usage
The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object; often followed by the preposition 'to' or 'from'.