Synonyms of retiring

retiring 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈtī(-ə)r-iŋ 

as in withdrawn

not comfortable around people

one retiring young girl was sitting alone quietly in a corner during the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdrawn
• shy
• lone
• bashful
• introverted
• backward
• diffident
• coy
• modest
• sheepish
• recessive
• reserved
• demure
• embarrassed
• self-effacing
• awkward
• antisocial
• unsociable
• inhibited
• unassertive
• unsocial
• lone-wolf
• uneasy
• uptight
• unadventurous
• unenterprising
• self-conscious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outgoing
• extroverted
• social
• immodest
• gregarious
• companionable
• sociable
• convivial
• boon
• dashing
• bold
• forceful
• forward
• clubbable
• uninhibited
• unreserved
• brash
• overbold

retiring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of retire

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

• settling
• sleeping
• bedding
• napping
• crashing
• turning in
• hitting the hay
• bunking
• dozing
• dossing (down)
• nodding
• dropping off
• snoozing
• roosting
• perching
• lying (down)
• reclining
• slumbering
• couching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rising
• arising
• waking
• uprising
• awakening
• getting up
• awaking
• wakening
• rousing
• stirring
• arousing
• reawakening
• shifting
• bestirring
• reawaking

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

• sacking
• dismissing
• removing
• firing
• releasing
• terminating
• axing
• discharging
• canning
• downsizing
• mustering out
• cashiering
• pink-slipping
• turning off
• bouncing
• showing (someone) the door
• sending packing
• trimming
• laying off
• furloughing
• separating
• excessing
• unseating
• kicking out
• drumming (out)
• chucking (out)
• booting (out)
• throwing out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• employing
• hiring
• retaining
• engaging
• keeping
• signing (up or on)
• taking on
• contracting
• rehiring
• recruiting
• reemploying
• subcontracting

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

• withdrawing
• retreating
• fleeing
• receding
• falling back
• pulling out
• evacuating
• giving way
• dropping back
• losing ground
• backing away
• flying
• leaving
• shrinking
• departing
• giving ground
• flinching
• recoiling
• detaching
• going
• vacating
• abandoning
• quitting
• disengaging
• backtracking
• climbing down
• pulling away
• backing down
• disentangling
• bowing out
• backpedaling
• chickening (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advancing
• facing
• confronting
• daring
• defying
• breasting
• braving
• brazening
• outbraving
• bearding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retiring

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

Versatile forward Nicolas Batum is retiring following an 18-year NBA career and a long stint with the French national team. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Despite a rainy forecast and the postponement of a ceremony honoring retiring Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose, the game began on time and wasn't interrupted. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Despite a rainy forecast and the postponement of a ceremony honoring retiring Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose, the game began on time and wasn’t interrupted. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Musto said some other big names still exist in the investing world, such as Will Danoff at Fidelity Investments, who is retiring from day-to-day management at the end of the year. — Josh Funk, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026

Dillard taught for more than 20 years at Wesleyan University before retiring in 2002. — Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

That will be a huge emphasis for whoever replaces Jamie Pollard, who is retiring as athletic director next June. — David Ubben, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Here are six investing considerations every American should be aware of before retiring in Europe. — Shane Clark, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Judy Sheindlin, the beloved media personality and legal maven better known as Judge Judy, is retiring from onscreen work. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026