1
as in to settle
to go to one's bed in order to sleep
I'm exhausted, so I think I'll retire for the evening
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment
as a part of its restructuring, the company has begun to retire its older employees
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to withdraw
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retire
Rousey quietly retired from UFC after a loss to Amanda Nunes and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.
—
Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Gary retired from acting in 1979 — except for briefly reprising the role of Ellen in the 1987 film Jaws: The Revenge.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 20 June 2025
When Stanley was hired in 1999, the city provided health-insurance subsidies up to age 65 for firefighters who retired after 25 years of service or who retired because of disabilities, according to court documents.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Jones wrapped up his 12-year NFL career with a one-season stint at the Denver Broncos before retiring in 2019.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for retire
Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Gary retired from acting in 1979 — except for briefly reprising the role of Ellen in the 1987 film Jaws: The Revenge.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 20 June 2025
When Stanley was hired in 1999, the city provided health-insurance subsidies up to age 65 for firefighters who retired after 25 years of service or who retired because of disabilities, according to court documents.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025
Jones wrapped up his 12-year NFL career with a one-season stint at the Denver Broncos before retiring in 2019.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for retire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retire
Verb
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The unexpected matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will be settled on Sunday, June 22 in Oklahoma City.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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The judge’s decision this week came more than 15 years after the first explosive lawsuit between the two men was settled.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Eight days later, in a game relocated to Glendale, Ariz., because of deadly wildfires in Southern California, Darnold was sacked nine times and had two turnovers (including a fumble returned for touchdown) in a 27-9 loss.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Nix turned the ball over just eight times and was sacked 20 times in those final 13 games.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
17 June 2025
Verb
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The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has urged Tehran to allow the agency to inspect the sites, but Iran is yet to agree, and has threatened to withdraw cooperation with the watchdog.—
Claire Cameron,
semafor.com,
24 June 2025
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In the Trump era, many have speculated about whether or to what degree the United States will withdraw from its leading role in the world.—
KORI SCHAKE,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Ensuring a good night’s sleep is hard enough without night sweats or uncomfortable bedding keeping you up.—
Rachel Trujillo,
People.com,
23 June 2025
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For the perfect bedroom refresh, take a peek at the most popular bedding trends set to be everywhere this summer.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Social media companies have already gotten several claims dismissed, including a claim of unjust enrichment, Goetz said, because Nazario failed to respond to them.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
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The Post, like much of New York city’s establishment, was already dismissing Mamdani as too extreme to win in the Democratic mayoral primary.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Many analysts believe Iran will retreat, reassemble its nuclear scientists and rebuild its program.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
24 June 2025
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Groups of demonstrators retreated to nearby streets, only to cut back and regroup near the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Nannies sleeping at their employers’ houses Susan, an immigrant from Guatemala, has been a nanny for 18 years.—
Jenny Gold,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2025
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Which means Florida’s official policy is now: don’t sleep here, don’t sleep there, and don’t sleep at all.—
Eric Gray,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Verb
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Kids who try to end-run this will have their streams removed and live chat disabled.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
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Florida Fish and Wildlife officials removed the alligators, allowing divers to recover a deceased male from the vehicle.—
Chris Anderson,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retire. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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