In February, the organisation Freedom House released its yearly report on freedom and democracy retreat.

The report says that for the past 13 years, there has been a decrease in freedom around the world.

Countries have struggled with debates that are a part of democracy, the report says.

Gains were made in the late 20th century, but for now democracy is in retreat.

In this example, retreat is the act or process of backing away from something in war.

A retreat is a movement by soldiers away from an enemy because the enemy is winning or has won a battle.