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

In the weeks that followed, at least one member of the Fire Patrol family could always be seen looking for their missing brother at Ground Zero, Sheehan, now 70 and retired from the fire service, told CNN. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

As a result of people retiring and less interest, the pools shrink because there’s just not enough candidates, Sanders said. — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Two deputy chiefs also retired earlier this year — one of them not voluntarily — leaving the department without its highest-ranking commanders. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

Michigan is a top Senate battleground, with Rogers trying to flip the seat of a retiring Democrat in a state Trump carried, but that went to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing retire

• retire (from)