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: withdrawn from one's position or occupation : having concluded one's working or professional career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
Josh York, a retired Army major who now works in health care administration in Anchorage, Alaska, has seen firsthand how high prices for fuel have kept Alaskans off the road. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 The retired military veteran is on the Delivery of Government Efficiency and Higher Education Committees. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026 Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD cold case sergeant and adjunct professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said the scale of the investigation stands out to him. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The author is a retired state of California administrator and a California veteran who lives in La Habra Heights. — Larry Padgett, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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
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