frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

Colloq comeback: Faced with criticism of the novel, the
author's retort was a four-letter word.
--v. 2 fling or hurl back, rejoin, answer back, riposte, rebut,
counter, come back with, return, respond, answer, reply,
retaliate: 'And don't expect a Christmas present from me,
either!', she retorted vehemently.
retouch v. touch up, correct, restore, repair, recondition, refresh,
brush up, adjust, improve, finish, put the finishing touches on:
Only an expert restorer could have retouched the damaged
painting so skilfully.
retract v. 1 withdraw, pull or draw back: The instant he felt the
heat, he retracted his hand. 2 take back, withdraw, rescind,
revoke, repeal, deny, disavow, recant, renounce, abjure, cancel,
forswear, repudiate, disclaim, disown, reverse: If they refuse
to retract their statement, I shall sue them for libel.
retreat n. 1 retirement, withdrawal, pulling or falling or drawing
back, giving ground, evacuation, flight: The regiment's retreat
in the face of overwhelming odds is complete. 2 retirement,
seclusion, withdrawal, isolation, solitude, rustication: Since
her retreat from public life, she has devoted herself to
painting. 3 sanctuary, sanctum (sanctorum), refuge, shelter,
den, haven, asylum, resort, hideaway, hide-out: Antonia
insisted on having her own retreat where she could occasionally
escape from the children.
--v. 4 withdraw, decamp, run (away), turn tail, depart, give or
lose ground, pull or fall or draw back, retire, evacuate, flee,
take flight: We must retreat to the shelter of the hills, where
we can regroup. 5 ebb, draw or move back, recede: The waves,
constantly advancing and retreating across the pebbly strand,
lulled me to sleep.
retribution
n. vengeance, revenge, reprisal, retaliation, requital,
redress, quid pro quo, satisfaction, punishment, justice, just
deserts, recompense, compensation: It is a moral question
whether society's treatment of malefactors should be an act of
retribution or the setting of an example to others.