отступа́ть

uncommon #5202C2

verbimperfective perfective is отступи́ть

1.
to retreat, to fall back, to withdrawmilitary
Войска́ отступа́ли к реке́.
The troops were retreating towards the river.
Often of troops; also figuratively of giving ground to an opponent.
2.
to step back, to move back, to recede
Мо́ре ме́дленно отступа́ло.
The sea was slowly receding.
Of a person taking a step back or of water/a boundary receding.
3.
to deviate (from), to depart (from), to stray (from)
Не отступа́й от те́мы бесе́ды.
Don't stray from the topic of the conversation.
With от + genitive: from a topic, a rule, one's principles.

Examples

Начина́ть легко, не отступа́ть - иску́сство.
Starting is easy; not giving up is an art.
Фельдмаршал отдал приказ отступать.
The field marshal ordered a retreat.
Изгоняемая толпа медленно отступала за ворота.
The crowd being driven out slowly retreated beyond the gates.
Громимый со всех сторон полк начал отступать.
The regiment, being attacked from all sides, began to retreat.
Берег, размываемый рекой, каждый год отступает.
The riverbank, eroded by the river, recedes every year.
Солдаты вермахта отступали зимой.
The Wehrmacht soldiers retreated in winter.
Бригадный командир отдал приказ отступать.
The brigade commander gave the order to retreat.
Холод, вгонявший всех в дрожь, не отступал.
The cold that was making everyone shiver showed no sign of letting up.

Imperative
ты	отступа́й
вы	отступа́йте

Active present	отступа́ющий	retreating, receding, withdrawing
Active past	отступа́вший	retreating, having retreated, that retreated, fallen back
Passive present	-
Passive past	-
Gerund present	отступа́я	while doing (present)
Gerund past	отступав отступавши	while doing (past)