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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retire
With Pelosi retiring after nearly four decades in Congress, her San Francisco House seat is up for grabs.
—
Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The council will also honor a longtime municipal judge and an Olathe Historic Preservation Board member, who are both retiring.
—Kendrick Calfee
june 2, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
Only one in five voters overall are on track to retire with confidence.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 June 2026
In District 1, representing North Natomas, North Sacramento, East Sacramento and Oak Park, four candidates are vying to replace retiring four-term Supervisor Phil Serna.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for retire
Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The council will also honor a longtime municipal judge and an Olathe Historic Preservation Board member, who are both retiring.
—Kendrick Calfee
june 2, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
Only one in five voters overall are on track to retire with confidence.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 June 2026
In District 1, representing North Natomas, North Sacramento, East Sacramento and Oak Park, four candidates are vying to replace retiring four-term Supervisor Phil Serna.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for retire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retire
Verb
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Overnight camping cabin guests should also pack bedding and all cooking and eating supplies.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Midwest Living,
4 June 2026
-
The plants and vines have grown, the tufu limestone has mellowed, the staff have bedded in, and the feel that this is a genuine Puglian village (even though it was built entirely from scratch) has been sealed.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Lopetegui was sacked by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) the next day and replaced by Fernando Hierro.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Opponents sacked Herbert 54 times last season, a career high.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Hulst and Toomey decided to withdraw from the mile at the State meet.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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Generally, the pre-tax money that’s deposited in traditional IRAs cannot be withdrawn before age 59½ without paying a 10% early-withdrawal tax penalty, unless an exception is met.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The city of Aurora agreed to pay $15 million in November 2021 to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by McClain's parents.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
McIntire, who settled in on the mound after giving up two home runs, proceeded to tie the game at 3-3 with a sacrifice fly.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 June 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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The ruling came after similar cases in Michigan and Georgia were dismissed by the courts and a special prosecutor dropped a federal case in late 2024 that charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.—
Jacques Billeaud,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Luna and Lee both believe frustration will die down by November about trash fees and Balboa Park parking, which the City Council retreated on by agreeing to a complex deal last month.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
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To their credit, the Wayans don’t entirely retreat from controversy.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
Verb
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High-end foundations get all the hype, but don’t sleep on the best drugstore foundations for mature skin.—
Jenny Berg,
Glamour,
29 May 2026
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The attacker on your network may not pause to sleep, strategize, or second-guess.—
Philip Martin,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Escalante Sandoval then approached the parked van, removed a key concealed in the gas cap and backed it up, allowing a group of people to move three deep freezers from the van into the bed of the truck and load them with packages.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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Nothing has been touched since the artist’s death in 2009 except for dust removed by a neighbor and caretaker.—
Erika Landström,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retire. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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