retire

verb

ri-ˈtī(-ə)r How to pronounce retire (audio)
Definition of retirenext
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

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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

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 Donald is 35 and hasn’t played since retiring after the 2023 season. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 Cook joined the White Settlement Police Department in 2022 after retiring from the Arlington Police Department as a deputy police chief, according to the statement. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026 Cataldi retired in 2022, at the end of an uncomfortably blissful year in which the Phillies made the World Series and the Eagles went to the Super Bowl. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 Manchin, elected as a Democrat, left the party before retiring in 2024. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for retire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retire
  1. bed
  2. sack
  3. withdraw
  4. settle
  5. dismiss
  6. retreat
  7. sleep
  8. remove
Verb
  • Hypoallergenic bedding like pillows, comforters and bedsheets is designed to resist common indoor allergens like pollen, pet dander and dust mites.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Slime molds can affect other landscape plants often covering foliage and stems of low-growing bedding plants or mulches with a colorful coating.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Definition of bed
Verb
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the country’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, after days of widespread protests against the removal of the country’s popular defense minister.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • He was sacked in October 2011 after just eleven games in charge, with the club’s board citing poor results and a lack of improvement in performances.
    — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of sack
Verb
  • The judge, Arun Subramanian, later issued an order confirming that the subpoenas were withdrawn.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 July 2026
  • Lawyers with the Department of Justice on Thursday agreed to unilaterally withdraw a series of subpoenas that sought to compel New York Times journalists to testify about their sources and provide access their phone records.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • The idea that his legacy should hinge on the outcome of one game — let alone a game settled on a penalty shootout — was the 1,003rd game of his career for club and country.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • The alum attaches itself to pollutants, including algae, and creates a snowlike mixture that settles to the bottom of the facility’s pond.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
Definition of settle
Verb
  • Ray Wilkins was appointed manager and Fulham finished sixth — but Al Fayed was not satisfied, dismissing Wilkins and handing the job to Keegan.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Huffy, a brand once dismissed by some but historically durable and even Olympic-raced, has successfully reinvented itself in the e-bike market.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • England’s response to taking the lead against Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta was to retreat further and further until Messi’s inevitable impact, setting up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • All three officers immediately backed away from Morgan, while Kephart retreated next to his patrol car.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • Keegan was desperate to awaken the sleeping Tyneside beast and get Newcastle back to the top flight and immediately announced himself to his adoring new fanbase, scoring the winning goal on his debut against Queens Park Rangers at St James’.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Kalanchoe Don’t sleep on succulents for bold blooms in vibrant colors.
    — Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026
Definition of sleep
Verb
  • Less than two weeks after Johnson County Sheriff Adam King’s trial on a witness retaliation charge ended in a hung jury, King’s former chief deputy has filed a petition to remove him from office.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
  • Soon afterward, however, child welfare authorities removed the children from her home after concerns about their living situation.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of remove

Phrases Containing retire

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retinues
retire
retired
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Cite this Entry

“Retire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retire. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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