Sad way to refer to retiring (8)
I believe the answer is:
pathetic
'sad' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'way to refer to retiring' is the wordplay.
'way' becomes 'path' (synonyms).
'to refer to' becomes 'cite' ('cite' can be a synonym of 'refer to').
'retiring' says the letters should be written backwards.
'cite' written backwards gives 'etic'.
'path'+'etic'='PATHETIC'
(Other definitions for pathetic that I've seen before include "Sadly inadequate" , "Hapless, miserable" , "Tip cheat - truly sad" , "Poor" , "Feeble; inspiring pity" .)