区别辨析retire、retreat与withdraw

retire、retreat与withdraw这些动词均含“退下、退却”之意。

retire : 指从公开或公共场合退下到私下场所,也指被免除职务或自动辞职、退役等。

  • 我注意到,今年,恢复高考后的第一批大学生大多已经退休,大批“00后”进入高校校园。
    I noticed that in the past year, most people who enrolled in college when the entrance exam resumed in 1977 have retired.
    ——习近平主席2019年新年贺词(双语全文)
  • Retired jet engines could help clear the smog that smothers big cities.
    退役的喷气发动机或许有助清除笼罩大城市的雾霾。
    ——《经济学人》

retreat : 含消极意味,多指被迫采取退下或退却的行动。(拓展学习:熟词僻义 | retreat 是一种什么活动?

  • 部队从沦陷的城市安全撤出。
    The troops made good their retreat from the occupied town.

withdraw : 侧重因某种原因而有意离开,常含礼貌、谦恭等理由。也指军队的撤退。

  • Threatening to withdraw banking licences would be a stronger deterrent.
    威胁撤销银行牌照会更有威慑力。
    ——《经济学人》