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

On Thursday, the actor famous for originating the role of Ash in Sam Raimi’s 1981 horror cult classic reiterated that he’s retired from playing the role, following his starring three-season run in Starz’s Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-’18). — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

More American women are retiring solo than ever before and redefining what financial independence looks like. — Angie O’Leary, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Some CFOs have decided to retire while other finance chiefs are being tapped to steer turnarounds or AI initiatives, for example. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Taylor Sheridan was ready to kick his feet up and retire before deciding to buy a second ranch in Texas. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing retire

• retire (from)