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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retire
Take the quiz here … CALLING IT QUITS – NFL star Xavien Howard abruptly retires after 4 games with Colts.
—
FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
That’s to be expected because Jason Kelce played for the Eagles before retiring from the NFL, and Travis Kelce is still going strong with the Chiefs.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Ballmer also purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion upon retiring from Microsoft—a record price at the time.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Nuclear power, developed since the 1970s, has seen older reactors retired since 2018.
—Yu-Tzu Chiu, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retire
FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
That’s to be expected because Jason Kelce played for the Eagles before retiring from the NFL, and Travis Kelce is still going strong with the Chiefs.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Ballmer also purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion upon retiring from Microsoft—a record price at the time.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Nuclear power, developed since the 1970s, has seen older reactors retired since 2018.
—Yu-Tzu Chiu, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retire
Verb
-
The network ultimately settled the case out of court for an undisclosed amount.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The casting process for the Netflix movie was nearing its end, and the filmmakers still hadn’t settled on who would play the central couple, whose story is often used as a model for faith and love.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Notre Dame fell 27-24 to Miami in the season opener, when Carr was sacked three times.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Being sacked by Chelsea and then West Ham in less than three years is slightly different to winning league and European trophies and being a statue-level hero at three different clubs, or taking England to two major finals and making the national team likeable again.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Only then would the Israeli military withdraw completely from Gaza, at which point the post-war Gaza plan would turn to economic redevelopment.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The Israeli Defense Forces would gradually withdraw from parts of the Gaza Strip, but would permanently maintain a security buffer on all three land borders.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Towels & Bedding There's a lot of conflicting information out there on washing towels and bedding in cold water simply for the energy savings, but Ken Doty, cleaning expert at The Maids, says this temperature is not the best choice.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Now is the time to inspect your heavy coats, pull out thicker bedding and space heaters from storage, and stock up on cozy blankets to get you through the cold weather.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Seven of those charged previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and prosecutors moved to dismiss their felony counts.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Olguin dismissed the case in 2022 after finding Elden’s claims were time-barred without addressing the substance of his allegations.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mike Bailey delivered a superkick to Dax Harwood, and Kevin Knight hit Cash Wheeler with a dropkick, sending FTR and Stokely retreating and ending the chaotic confrontation.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
When the sun sets, retreat to the hot tub.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Martin called me on April 30th to tell me that Jim was sleeping, that Jim was dying now.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Symptoms can vary widely, from food aversions and sleep problems to anxiety and trouble adapting to routines.—
Laura Dorwart,
Health,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Officials urge residents to take precautions like using insect repellent and removing standing water.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Yet, Barclays’ Venkateshwar expects the environment will likely get more difficult for the wireless carrier in the future, as the entire sector deals with elevated churn — the pace at which customers are added and removed.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retire. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share