as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
one retiring young girl was sitting alone quietly in a corner during the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in settling
to go to one's bed in order to sleep
I'm exhausted, so I think I'll retire for the evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sacking
to let go from office, service, or employment
as a part of its restructuring, the company has begun to retire its older employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in withdrawing
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
the insurgents have retired to the outskirts of the city, but appear to be readying themselves for another offensive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retiring
Daily News Staff, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
After running more than 400 games, the researchers concluded that a fully passive style of scavenging – snatching some carrion when no one is looking – was too retiring and less than ideal.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2023
Austen’s most retiring and internal heroine, spends much of the movie chatting to the camera, even giving sarcastic glances and eye rolls in the middle of the action.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 July 2022
So a more retiring co-parent certainly can be, say, the homework explainer and behind-the-scenes calendar keeper while the more outgoing parent takes meetings and makes phone calls – absolutely.
—Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, 15 May 2018
In part, that's because Hemsley is probably the most retiring, publicity-adverse CEO heading an iconic company.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2017
Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
In 2018, Rita Ferro succeeded the retiring Erhardt as the ESPN sales boss under a new title (president, Disney ad sales).
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026
Dominic Murphy, who has spent two decades investigating such activities — including previous high-profile attacks — and who oversaw the initial investigation into the fires before retiring in March.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
Lyons, now the former CEO of the fintech Fiserv, will replace Bill Rogers, who is retiring in April and will remain with Truist as executive chair of the bank during the transition.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026
Since retiring from the stage, Hamrick has been busy.
—Bob Morris, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
And this is a guy who is supposed to be retiring after next season!
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Pat Sajak is updating fans on his life after retiring from Wheel of Fortune in 2024.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
After retiring as a player in 2017, Splitter almost immediately transitioned into a scouting position with the Brooklyn Nets.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Adjective
Rangel, a mustachioed, natty dresser rarely seen with a hair out of place, hardly had a reputation for a shy and retiring personality.
—Daily News Staff, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
After running more than 400 games, the researchers concluded that a fully passive style of scavenging – snatching some carrion when no one is looking – was too retiring and less than ideal.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2023
Austen’s most retiring and internal heroine, spends much of the movie chatting to the camera, even giving sarcastic glances and eye rolls in the middle of the action.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 July 2022
So a more retiring co-parent certainly can be, say, the homework explainer and behind-the-scenes calendar keeper while the more outgoing parent takes meetings and makes phone calls – absolutely.
—Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, 15 May 2018
In part, that's because Hemsley is probably the most retiring, publicity-adverse CEO heading an iconic company.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2017
Verb
Silverton has trailblazed a career through the food industry, but has no plans of retiring anytime soon.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
In 2018, Rita Ferro succeeded the retiring Erhardt as the ESPN sales boss under a new title (president, Disney ad sales).
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026
Dominic Murphy, who has spent two decades investigating such activities — including previous high-profile attacks — and who oversaw the initial investigation into the fires before retiring in March.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
Lyons, now the former CEO of the fintech Fiserv, will replace Bill Rogers, who is retiring in April and will remain with Truist as executive chair of the bank during the transition.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026
Since retiring from the stage, Hamrick has been busy.
—Bob Morris, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
And this is a guy who is supposed to be retiring after next season!
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Pat Sajak is updating fans on his life after retiring from Wheel of Fortune in 2024.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
After retiring as a player in 2017, Splitter almost immediately transitioned into a scouting position with the Brooklyn Nets.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
-
Blatter also suggested that Infantino, like a lot of dictators, has started acting withdrawn.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
-
Patrick Stewart is also among those to have publicly discussed working with a withdrawn Hardy, who has also starred in The Dark Knight trilogy, Peaky Blinders and the Venom films.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
After settling along India’s west coast, many Parsis built their lives as merchants in bustling ports.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
That challenges our previous assumption that plague spillover was a side effect of people taking up farming and settling in permanent villages and towns, living closer to each other and to an assortment of animals (and their fleas).—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Villa’s then sporting director Monchi reportedly attempting a straight swap of him for goalkeeper Emi Martinez last summer is a sacking offence (perhaps literally).—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
Giants linebacker Abdul Carter didn’t waste any time sacking his own quarterback.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
Verb
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After battling through injury during Saturday's third round at the RBC Canadian Open, Brooks Koepka opted not to give it a go in the final round, ultimately withdrawing from the PGA Tour event on Sunday morning.—
Mark Harris,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
This is because Roth IRAs allow withdrawals of your contributions penalty-free (there are, however, stipulations for withdrawing earnings).—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Now, Perez sits just five homers shy of breaking Brett’s all-time franchise mark for home runs as a Royal.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
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Farrell, who also narrates in a soft voice, often wears a look of shy incomprehension, as if a beat behind in translating the world around him, a stranger in a strange land.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Ridgetop is a larger option, sleeping up to 18 guests with six bathrooms as well as six private bedrooms, each sleeping up to three people.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
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Franklin says warning signs of caregiver strain can include chronic fatigue, anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping and emotional withdrawal.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
Verb
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That included dismissing all claims against the Herald defendants and Mayor Wu.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
14 June 2026
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Media covered the story briefly before dismissing it as youthful overreaction or isolated activism.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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That may help to explain why premium spirits brands are not retreating in the face of no-and-low.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
But retreating indoors can come at a cost.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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