retire

retire

verb

Definition of RETIRE

1

to go to one's bed in order to sleep <I'm exhausted, so I think I'll retire for the evening>

Synonyms crash [slang], doss (down) [chiefly British], retire, turn in

Related Words bunk, perch, roost, settle; doze, drop off, nap, nod, sleep, slumber, snooze; couch, lie (down), recline

Near Antonyms arouse, awake, awaken, rouse, wake, waken; bestir, stir; reawake, reawaken; shift, stir

Antonyms arise, get up, rise, uprise

2

to let go from office, service, or employment <as a part of its restructuring, the company has begun to retire its older employees>

Synonyms ax (or axe), bounce, can, cashier, discharge, fire, muster out, pink-slip, release, remove, retire, sack, terminate, turn off

Related Words downsize, excess, furlough, lay off, trim; boot (out), chuck (out), drum (out), kick out, throw out, unseat; separate

Near Antonyms keep; reemploy, rehire; contract, subcontract; recruit

Antonyms employ, engage, hire, retain, sign (up or on), take on

3

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) <the insurgents have retired to the outskirts of the city, but appear to be readying themselves for another offensive>

Synonyms back away, drop back, fall back, pull out, recede, retire, withdraw

Related Words flee, fly; flinch, recoil, shrink; chicken (out); bow out; back down, backpedal, backtrack, climb down; detach, disengage, disentangle, pull away; abandon, depart, evacuate, go, leave, quit, vacate

Near Antonyms beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave

Antonyms advance