Synonyms of retire

retire

verb

ri-ˈtī(-ə)r 

1

as in to bed

to go to one's bed in order to sleep

I'm exhausted, so I think I'll retire for the evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bed
• settle
• sleep
• turn in
• nap
• crash
• hit the hay
• roost
• bunk
• doss (down)
• drop off
• perch
• nod
• doze
• lie (down)
• couch
• slumber
• snooze
• recline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• arise
• get up
• wake
• awaken
• awake
• waken
• rouse
• stir
• arouse
• uprise
• shift
• bestir
• reawaken
• reawake

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sack
• dismiss
• remove
• fire
• release
• can
• terminate
• ax
• discharge
• pink-slip
• downsize
• turn off
• muster out
• send packing
• show (someone) the door
• bounce
• lay off
• cashier
• excess
• furlough
• kick out
• trim
• unseat
• throw out
• chuck (out)
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• separate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• employ
• hire
• retain
• engage
• keep
• take on
• sign (up or on)
• rehire
• contract
• reemploy
• recruit
• subcontract

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdraw
• retreat
• flee
• recede
• fall back
• pull out
• evacuate
• give way
• drop back
• lose ground
• back away
• fly
• leave
• give ground
• go
• shrink
• depart
• vacate
• detach
• flinch
• recoil
• quit
• abandon
• disengage
• chicken (out)
• pull away
• climb down
• back down
• backtrack
• bow out
• disentangle
• backpedal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advance
• dare
• confront
• face
• breast
• beard
• defy
• brave
• outbrave
• brazen

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retire

My issue is that a lot of my friends who are inactive and retired invite me to dinners, the theater and parties, sometimes at the very last minute. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Economics and politics are driving more Americans to retire abroad. — William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

At an age when many are winding down or retiring all together, Phylicia Rashad is working more than ever. — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026

Now retired from the stage, Copeland moves into the role of mentor and producer. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

Phrases Containing retire

• retire (from)