What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decommissioned
Example
The decommissioned battleship was turned into a museum. [decommissioned: adjective]
Example
The nuclear power plant was decommissioned after the accident. [decommissioned: verb]
retired
Example
My grandfather retired from his job last year. [retired: verb]
Example
The company retired the old software and released a new version. [retired: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retired is more commonly used than decommissioned in everyday language. Retired is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while decommissioned is less common and often used in specific technical or industrial settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between decommissioned and retired?
Both decommissioned and retired are neutral and formal words that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the context and tone of the sentence.
