unretire
Americanverb (used without object)
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unretire
First recorded in 1945–50; un- 2 ( def. ) + retire ( def. ) (in the sense “to withdraw from business”)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
To reach the most hallowed ground in figure skating, Liu had to retire at 16, unretire two years later, and come back as an entirely different skater with an unapologetically carefree approach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 20, 2026
Instead, workers tend to unretire when it is easiest to do so, when the job market is strong.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 18, 2025
Philip Rivers, after working out twice with the Colts, decided he was ready to unretire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2025
Brady and Bündchen have both hired divorce lawyers, according to the New York Post’s Page Six, as the two mega stars continue feuding after the 45-year-old quarterback’s decision to unretire this offseason.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 4, 2022
Addison even gets to wear his preferred No. 3 jersey after a conversation with Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, who gave his blessing to unretire his former number.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 5, 2022
Specifically, 21% of the unretired respondents in the sample decided to postpone their retirements.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
He has retired and unretired multiple times but has not fought in a bout that counts since his 10-round technical knockout of UFC star Conor McGregor in 2017.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2026
After retiring at 16, she unretired at 18 and returned from her break with an entirely different philosophy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 2026
But Favre retired after one year in New York, unretired and then played two more seasons in Minnesota.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 31, 2023
In comparison, my dwelling is bleak, comfortless, and unretired, but my father is entitled to all my care.
From Ormond, Volume II (of 3) or, The Secret Witness by Brown, Charles Brockden
Later, after unretiring and then retiring once again, Jordan became an owner of the team now known as the Charlotte Hornets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 6, 2026
But since unretiring from film, he is determined to do things differently.
From BBC ● Dec. 14, 2024
Elton is not the only performer with a history of retiring and unretiring.
From Salon ● Jan. 16, 2023
Tom Brady announced Sunday that he’s unretiring and coming back to Tampa Bay.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 14, 2022
I hope if Gronk genuinely considers unretiring, he comes to the same conclusion I have.
From Slate ● Jan. 6, 2020
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
