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

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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

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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

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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 With Yeager ineligible for election to retain his seat and Saunders stepping down to retire at the end of this term later this year, neither will be on the council long-term going forward. — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Gusto pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings, Vodnik retired four batters, Junk threw the perfect eighth and Fulton tossed a shutout ninth to secure the win. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Eastman moved to Bozeman, Montana, full-time in 2005 and retired from ICM in 2010. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 One of the greatest power forwards of all time, the Minnesota Timberwolves legend and NBA Hall of Famer earned around $334 million over his 21-year career and retired with the Timberwolves in 2016. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 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
  • The Preferred seats also receive upgraded bedding, a mattress pad, pajamas and an enhanced amenity kit.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Described as a multi-season partnership, The Hollister Collection at Target collection offers bedding offered in twin/twin XL and full/queen, wearable throw blankets, decorative pillows and more.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of bed
Verb
  • But as his career was sacked, as television pundits continued to make personal attacks, and as 986 people were killed by police in 2017, Kaepernick stayed largely quiet.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Craig was sacked three times and once UNC started keying on the run, the Horned Frogs struggled to match the Tar Heels’ physicality.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of sack
Verb
  • The defendants’ decision not to question a witness did not amount to carrying out the agreements, the government argued, because the agreements did not require that action and the defendants had not withdrawn their pending motions.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Iran’s parliament is debating a bill to withdraw from the NPT, according to Iranian lawmakers.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • People who settled here have a very bold spirit and a kind of grit that was required to make it.
    — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Separately, New Mexico secured a nearly $1 billion verdict against Meta for creating a public nuisance and exposing minors to harm, prompting Meta to settle with 47 other states for up to $18 billion, though private claims persist.
    — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of settle
Verb
  • On Wednesday, lawyers for Gomez filed a motion to dismiss the artist from the suit, and said she should have never been dragged into the case in the first place.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
  • El-Sayed dismissed a potential fundraising gap in the race, which could occur if donors were pushed towards Rogers or if outside groups like AIPAC intervened on Rogers’ behalf.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • The technology was also tested against deceptive behaviour, an in a different scenario, fishing boats appeared to retreat while vessels from another direction accelerated toward the coastguard ship.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The player reported that the man had opened a knife and moved toward him before retreating into his room.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • Dogs slept outside and got baths every six months and sometimes disappeared for three days and then came home smelling like Paris Hilton circa 2003, and no one asked any questions.
    — Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Some slept on the floors, others circulated in and out of the air conditioning, and a few children played and ate.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleep
Verb
  • In sick bay, M’Benga tries to remove the table and end his life so Chapel can give up on him, an effort that proves futile.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Though your home may have its share of appliances, mail, mugs, or anything else that lives on your countertops daily, they should be removed before listing.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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