retired

1 of 2

adjective

re·​tired ri-ˈtī(-ə)rd How to pronounce retired (audio)
Synonyms of retirednext
1
: secluded
a retired village
2
: withdrawn from one's position or occupation : having concluded one's working or professional career
a group of retired teachers
3
: received by or due to one in retirement
retired pay
retiredly
ri-ˈtī-rəd-lē, 
-ˈtī(-ə)rd- How to pronounce retired (audio)
adverb
retiredness
ri-ˈtī(-ə)rd-nəs How to pronounce retired (audio)
noun

retired

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of retire

Synonyms of retired

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Adjective

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Examples of retired in a Sentence

Adjective hiked out to a retired beach and fished in the surf
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Soon Melville, a retired teacher, was at a hospital being treated for multiple fractures. — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 Last week, the retired Army officer and Iraq War veteran directly relayed his concerns about Hegseth to Trump at the White House, The Atlantic reported. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 My guide on the Alaska Smokejumper Base was Rod Dow, a seventy-eight-year-old retired smokejumper who once held the record for jumps onto fires. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Habitat Home decor, locally made artisan items, one-of-a-kind gifts, ceramics, art, and textiles are stylishly displayed at this shop founded by a retired Marine. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retired

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retired was in 1585

Rhymes for retired

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Browse Nearby Words

retire
retired
retired list
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Cite this Entry

“Retired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retired. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

retired

adjective
re·​tired
1
: secluded sense 1
a retired village
2
: not working at active duties or business
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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