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
Vodka label uses AI to unretire ‘Fembot’ for Super Bowl ad.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 3, 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
Arians said a pivotal moment in his decision came two weeks ago when future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady decided to unretire and rejoin the team.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2022
Tom Brady retired, then unretired, then retired again, and that dude still seems like he wants to put on a helmet and show Raiders fans what a forward pass should look like.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
Figure 1 shows the share of retirees who unretired from just before COVID-19 pandemic until the most recent data available.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 18, 2025
But Favre retired after one year in New York, unretired and then played two more seasons in Minnesota.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 31, 2023
The movie co-stars newly unretired actor Cameron Diaz and Glenn Close, but the production has been plagued with “meltdown” rumors for weeks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 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 Charles Brockden Brown
Former England captain Courtney Lawes says he is "officially unretiring from international duty" after signing for Sale Sharks for the 2026-27 season.
From BBC ● Apr. 7, 2026
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
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
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
